The VAPA Center (The Visual and Performing Arts Center), will receive $1.7 million in funding from Mecklenburg County to improve current building conditions. By improving the building, VAPA will be able to continue in its mission to provide affordable spaces for artist businesses and make various, diverse art experiences accessible for residents.

“The VAPA Center is more than just a building. It’s a community of artists and a commitment to value the work they produce and present. We are so thankful to Mecklenburg County for their generous support of VAPA and of the more than 350 creatives that call VAPA their home,” said Executive Director, Arthur Rogers, Jr.

Since opening in 2022, the VAPA Center has experienced remarkable growth – averaging nearly 7,000 visitors in January 2024, a more than 2000% year-over-year increase. The center’s booming growth highlights the Charlotte community’s appetite for diverse, engaging cultural experiences and led to a five-year lease extension from Mecklenburg County. With that growth comes the need to ensure both the longevity and safety of the building for residents which VAPA’s architect of record, Little Diversified, will oversee beginning July 2024. Funding from the county will enable critical upgrades for the building including: spray fireproofing, egress updates, exit signage, sprinkler modifications, a DOAS (Dedicated Outside Air Supply) system, and fire alarm system upgrades.

Located at 700 N Tryon Street, The VAPA center was originally home to Sears before becoming The Hal Marshall Center. In an agreement with Mecklenburg County, The VAPA Center was formed in 2021 following planned demolition of Spirit Square which left multiple artists without adequate workspace. Recognized as the northern end of Charlotte’s “Creative Mile”, VAPA is a non-profit organization providing an inclusive environment where artists can work and the public can interact with the creative process. VAPA has received multiple awards and is now home to over 350 artists. Go to vapacenter.com for more information about our organization.

Wawa has just opened its first store in North Carolina, joining a growing list of legendary brands coming to our state for the first time, including Buc-ee’s, Tim Hortons, and Wegmans, and Whataburger.

The newest Wawa store is located at 1900 Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills. This location is the first of nine Wawa stores scheduled to open in North Carolina. A total of ten are planned by the end of the year.

“We are excited to fly into North Carolina and bring our unique combination of fresh food and beverage, convenience and service to this state for the very first time. This historic milestone kicks off our ongoing growth and expansion in North Carolina as we continue to build new stores and create new jobs,” said Wawa president Brian Schaller in a press release. “We are also thrilled about extending our commitment to being a good neighbor to Dare County, and our partnerships with the Coast Guard Foundation and Special Olympics North Carolina Dare County athletes are examples of how we will support local causes.”

Local officials, community members, and heroes gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which featured a parade, local cheerleaders, and a “Hoagies for Heroes” competition. This charitable hoagie-building contest recognized local heroes serving their communities.

In conjunction with the opening, the Wawa Foundation announced a $2,500 grant to the Coast Guard Foundation to support morale and wellness initiatives. Additionally, the foundation awarded another $2,500 grant to the Special Olympics of North Carolina, aiding Dare County athletes in competing in the Summer Games from June 2-4.

UPDATE 5/22/2024:

Fort Mill residents are now concerned of the continued presence of Silfab Solar after a utilities permit was granted 3 working days after the company’s zoning approval was voted down by the BZA.

Here is a copy of the permit in question:

Silfab also released a press release dated May 20th (11 days after the council voted against them), in which they state the following (here’s a saved pdf version of the article):

“…Silfab’s main N-type cell manufacturing at its new South Carolina facility.”

“Silfab’s newest factory in South Carolina will soon add 1 gigawatt American-made cell production and another 1.3 gigawatts of module production.”

“Silfab operates state-of-the-art facilities in the state of Washington and Toronto, Canada and will soon be manufacturing solar cells and PV modules in Fort Mill, South Carolina.”

Fort Mill residents are now concerned that the company will somehow be able to continue building the factory even after the BZA voted that solar panel manufacturing is not allowed in light industrial zoned properties.

UPDATE 5/10/2024: Over 300 Fort Mill residents attended a lengthy meeting at the York County Government Center on Thursday evening that lasted until just after 10:30pm. After hearing comments from over 50 residents, the York County Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously that solar panel manufacturing is not allowed in light industrial zoned properties.

The decision was based on ambiguities in the county code. The crowd filled the main lobby and two overflow rooms during the highly anticipated meeting.

Silfab released the following statement after the decision by the board:

“Silfab Solar is disappointed in the York County board of zoning appeals decision of May 9. We are reviewing the community comments from the public forum and are waiting for an official letter of determination. This was not a final determination, and we are exploring the various options that will lead to a resolution.”

Here is a video from Queen City News about last night’s meeting:

ORIGINAL ARTICLE 5/6/2024:

A growing number of Fort Mill residents are raising concerns about the environmental and health impacts of a proposed solar manufacturing plant by Canada’s Silfab Solar.

The company has announced a $150 million investment plan to start manufacturing solar panels. The new facility is expected to generate hundreds of new jobs, offering a starting wage of $19 per hour for hourly workers and an annual salary of $60,000 for salaried employees, along with comprehensive benefits.

Concord Mills and Charlotte Premium Outlets are gearing up for National Outlet Shopping Day with hundreds of deals on top brands, limited-time giveaways, and unique center-wide experiences.

These centers are among over 90 Simon Premium Outlets and The Mills properties in the US and Canada celebrating National Outlet Shopping Day 2024. Since its debut in 2022, this event has drawn millions of deal hunters to Simon centers nationwide, and this year’s third-annual event promises to be even bigger.

“We are ecstatic for this year’s National Outlet Shopping Day. In addition to unbelievable retailer savings, we’ve curated a fun-filled weekend complete with VIP activations and live entertainment,” said Sarah Berthold, director of marketing and business development for Concord Mills.

WHEN: Shopper discounts will run from Saturday, June 8, through Sunday, June 9, 2024.

Concord Mills:

• Find savings from more than 70 retailers, including H&M, Janie and Jack, Lacoste, Loft Outlet, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Steve Madden, and Ugg.
• Family-friendly activities and giveaways on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 12 – 3 PM:
  • Selfie Station near Coach
  • Live chalk painting outside entrance 2
  • Caricature artist
  • Meet and greet with fashion designer Will White presenting a custom-made dress from Concord Mills bags

Charlotte Premium Outlets:

• Find savings from more than 70 retailers, including Coach, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Adidas.
• Family-friendly activities and giveaways on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 12 – 3 PM:
  • Tote bag distribution at participating retailers
  • Free shopping bag with center’s VIP program sign-up
  • Free $10 Simon American Express Gift Card with purchases of $300 or more
  • Activities include a prize wheel, foam zone at Saks Off Fifth, DJ, face painting, stilt walkers, and a mall-wide scavenger hunt

WHERE:

• Concord Mills: 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
• Charlotte Premium Outlets: 5404 New Fashion Way, Charlotte, NC 28278

As Charlotte faces increasing road congestion (Forbes recently ranked us as having the second worst commute in America), Raleigh is expanding its network of free-flowing highways around the capitol city region.

This week, North Carolina leaders in our state’s capitol unveiled signs for “Future I-685,” a new highway that will link I-85 near Greensboro to I-95 just south of Raleigh. The red, white, and blue shields signal the N.C. Department of Transportation’s plan to upgrade 86 miles of road to interstate standards.

This addition joins other new, future, and partially completed interstate highways in the region, including I-885 in Durham, I-42 and I-87 from the Triangle to the coast, and I-587 between Zebulon and Greenville. For now, “Future I-685” signs will appear along U.S. 421 only between I-85 in Guilford County and U.S. 421 Business in Lee County near Sanford. This stretch is already a four-lane divided highway.

What do you think about North Carolina’s latest highway? 

The Independent Picture House (IPH), Charlotte’s only non-profit community cinema, just announced a major expansion that will double its size.

IPH will be adding a fourth auditorium with 145 seats. Additionally, a pre-function area will be built for educational offerings, community events, and gatherings.

This new space will increase IPH’s footprint by 4,639 square feet. The expansion aims to make IPH able to support events like September’s Charlotte Film Festival.

A celebration for the new space is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM, free and open to the public.

“We have seen extraordinarily positive reactions from the community. This expansion comes at the perfect time as demand for screenings and events grows,” IPH Executive Director Brad Ritter said in a press release.

As of May 20, IPH has secured 60% of the necessary funds, with a public fundraising campaign starting May 22 to reach their $725,000 goal.

This summer, IPH plans several programs leading up to the September 24-29 Charlotte Film Festival, including:

• The Summer of ‘84 series: Celebrating films from 1984.
• The Critic’s Eye film series: With Lawrence Toppman and Tim Whitmire, every other Tuesday, May 28 – July 9.
• Indie on Wheels screening: At Sugar Creek Library on June 11.
• Community Impact Film Series: Focused on Immigration on July 20.
• Monthly Free Saturday Cartoons for families: Every second Saturday of each month.

Designs for the Independent Picture House’s new space are in early stages. Construction is expected to start this summer and completion aimed for early November. Current programming will continue without disruption.

The Queen City has once again been ranked among the best cities in America in a new report by US News.

Charlotte climbed all the way up to #5 in the official US News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Places to Live rankings, surpassing both Raleigh (#6) and Charleston (#13). This marks a significant climb from last year’s #8 spot and 2022’s #30 spot.

The new report evaluates 150 of the largest cities in America, based on job market, value, quality of life, and desirability. This year, U.S. News emphasized city value and job market more heavily. Quality of life, which includes crime rates, education, and commute times, holds the most weight at 32%.

Other notable Carolina cities ranked high included Greenville, SC (#4), Asheville (#17), and Greensboro (#23). Overall, the Carolinas dominated the list this year, with both North and South Carolina having more cities in the top 25 than any other state in the nation.

U.S. News sources data from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, and its internal resources for these rankings.

Betting has often been viewed through a lens of caution, but the inspiring stories of Emmanuel Makadinwa, Michael Ocansey, Oluwaseun Ajayi, and Peter Ojo present a compelling narrative of how strategic and responsible betting can transform lives. Emmanuel Makadinwa, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur, used his betting winnings to build a thriving business empire encompassing real estate, media, and agriculture. Michael Ocansey from Kenya turned his analytical skills and betting success into capital for a tech company that now employs many. 

In Nigeria, Oluwaseun Ajayi, known as Shizzle, invested his winnings in a football academy to nurture young talents, while Peter Ojo used his betting success to establish a foundation supporting underprivileged children. These stories from different parts of Africa highlight the potential of betting to catalyze positive change when approached with discipline, strategy, and a commitment to giving back to the community. 

Emmanuel Makadinwa

Emmanuel is an informal trader and entrepreneur from Zimbabwe. His love for football drew him to betting on his favorite teams and sporting events. After deliberations and strategic decisions using review websites like Betpack, he won a substantial amount of money. Instead of wasting the money on irrelevant purchases like most winners do, he decided to invest in a small business. Using his business acumen, he turned his investment into a thriving empire. 

Today, Emmanuel is one of the most successful business men in Zimbabwe. His empire has grown to cover various interests such as real estate, media, and agriculture. Emmanuel Makadinwa is a testament to the positives that a betting win can provide to its recipient. When used correctly, it can be the key that u locks financial success. 

Michael Ocansey

Michael was an aspiring tech entrepreneur that hoped to create a company similar to Revpanda. He channeled his analytical mind towards sports betting and he started his journey with a small amount. Through consistency and deep research, he won consistent bets and made a substantial amount of money. Once he realized he had raised enough capital, he used the money to start his tech company. 

His dream materialized as his company grew to become a consistent employer of labor in Kenya. From a dreamer, Michael has become an employer of labor by using his winnings to find his dreams. Through strategic positioning, he created an impact in the tech world. His story is an inspiration for thousands of tech entrepreneurs who hope to start their own tech business someday. 

Oluwaseun Ajayi

Sports is a beloved activity in Nigeria with millions of passionate fans. This is another reason why the betting industry in the country is one of the largest in Africa. Oluwaseun Ajayi who was popularly known as Shizzle was an avid bettor. He started his betting journey with small amounts of money. This was a way for him to fine tune his analytical skills and learn more about betting. 

His dedication paid off when he made large amounts of money from well placed bets. Using these winnings, he gave back to the community by building and finding a football academy. The academy grooms young footballers and gives them a structured environment to pursue their dreams. Ajayi’s story shows that when betting wins are used right, it can have an overarching benefit for the community. 

Peter Ojo

Peter Ojo was a security guard who started betting as a side income strategy. He needed the money to supplement his salary so he could avoid living from paycheck to paycheck. Through his strict betting strategies and perseverance he accumulated significant money. He was able to leave his job and become financially stable. He established a foundation that provides mentorship, scholarship opportunities, and sports equipment for underprivileged children. 

Peter’s commitment to giving back to his community has started a chain reaction that will prevent people from ending up in his previous state. His story shows that although luck plays a role in betting, what we do with our winnings is intentional. Peter Ojo channeled his winnings towards changing the lives of the youth around him. 

What We can Learn From These Stories

These stories are from different parts of Africa but the positive impact of gambling remains the same. This impact would not have been possible without some decisions taken by the people in the stories. The lessons that can be learnt from these include:

• Discipline: It is important to be disciplined with money as this is the only way to avoid squandering what you have. All the people in our stories above exercised a level of financial discipline which enabled them to use their money wisely. 
• Charity: Where possible, always give back to the community. Giving back to the community helps those that are less privileged and it gives them a leg up in the society. Giving back is also a quick way to spread the impact of your bet winnings . It should be noted that giving back to your community should not be done to the detriment of your personal finances. 
• Self Determination: It is important to be focused on our goals regardless of what happens. Michael Ocansey wanted to be a tech entrepreneur and he used his betting to finance his dreams. Abandoning your dreams because of a windfall from betting is a surefire way to squander your money. 
• Strategy: It is important to create a consistent strategy that you can use. All the people in the stories above used consistent strategies to gain advantages and kept to their strategies when things weren’t rosy. With a strategy, you can plan and execute with consistency. 

The stories we have shared portray the positive impact of betting across the African continent. Each of the individuals in this story showed grit, determination, and responsible gambling. They leveraged their success in betting to either pursue their dreams or give back to their communities. 

It is important for us to share these stories as they help us create a balanced narrative around betting. These stories are inspirational but it is important for you to remember that there are risks associated with sports betting. Only engage in responsible gambling practices which will ensure that you are safe when betting. 

Casinos are known for a variety of different games, including table games like Roulette and Blackjack. As iconic as they are, another one of the most popular games to play is Slots. 

Its blinking lights, sound effects, and variety of game features are just a few of the reasons why they are so much loved. 

But what lies behind the screens of these popular games, including the Age of the Gods Slots?

Let’s find out…

Ensuring a fair game

At its core, a slot machine is a marvel of engineering, blending various forms of technology to create an unforgettable experience. 

Behind the vibrant screens and spinning reels lies a computer programme known as the Random Number Generator (RNG). 

This software ensures that each spin is entirely random, making it impossible to predict or manipulate the outcome. 

Regulatory bodies rigorously test and certify these RNGs to guarantee fairness and integrity, providing players with peace of mind.

This ensures that every slot game is based on chance, so it’s important only to play these games for fun!

Other features

Modern slot machines are equipped with lots of features designed to make for better gameplay and ensure that each game is fair. 

From the many different themes – popular culture, mythology, space, and more – to extra rounds and progressive jackpots, each element is carefully crafted to ensure each player can find a game to suit their playing preferences.

Alongside all of these things, casino operators use various tools to further add to the slot gaming experience, which is why the games stay fresh and fun. 

Using these tools, plus player feedback helps to create the best gaming experiences possible!

The advent of online Slots

But perhaps the most significant innovation in recent years is the advent of online Slots. 

With the rise of digital technology, players can now enjoy their favourite games from anywhere they have a reliable internet connection, from a variety of electronic devices.

Online Slots offer something modern, giving players more options to play at the traditional physical casino or online.

To stand out in a crowded market, operators must constantly innovate and differentiate themselves through unique features, exceptional customer service, and more.

This is why you’ll see plenty of new franchises and different types of symbols over the years to ensure they keep up with modern times.

Paired with this, it’s equally as important to promote responsible gambling practices – both in person and within the online sites.

This is done by allowing players to set limits and ensuring that they know not to chase losses, so gaming is always fun!

In conclusion, there’s a lot more than meets the eye with the popular games of Slots. 

From the intricacies of RNGs to the different features that go into them to make each game unique and the innovation driving online Slots, the slot gaming landscape is vast – and will only continue to grow alongside technology. 

No matter where you decide to spin the reels, it seems that these games will remain a popular casino gaming staple, so will you be playing anytime soon?