Whataburger’s First Charlotte Location Has Just Been Confirmed

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Legendary burger joint Whataburger is about to open their first Charlotte location later this year.

The Charlotte zoning just approved the new drive-thru facility in East Charlotte’s Clear Creek Crossings development, between on Albemarle Road and Rocky River Church Road. Whataburger’s first Charlotte address will be 12809 Albemarle Road.

This marks the second attempt in two years to bring the chain to Charlotte, following an earlier proposal that ultimately fell apart.

Since its first establishment in 1950, Whataburger has become an iconic brand in Texas, boasting over 700 outlets across the state. The chain has since stretched its footprint to nearly 300 locations across the country.

Are you excited about Whataburger coming to Charlotte?

StoryCorps Returning to Charlotte: Preserve Your Story In The US Library of Congress

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This April, the StoryCorps mobile recording booth is making a much-anticipated return to Charlotte after nearly 15 years. StoryCorps, a nonprofit dedicated to capturing American stories, has recorded nearly 700,000 people since 2003. These recordings are archived in the U.S. Library of Congress, creating the largest collection of human voices ever.

The StoryCorps MobileBooth, a converted Airstream trailer, tours the country annually, partnering with local organizations to record conversations of local residents. These stories are broadcast to over 12 million listeners nationwide.

Here’s the schedule for Charlotte’s StoryCorps visit:

  • April 11th: Public appointment bookings open.
  • April 25th: Recording sessions begin.
  • April 26th: More public appointments available.
  • May 24th: Last day of recordings.

Participants have a 40-minute session to share any story or experience they find meaningful, with no specific content required. This is a unique chance for Charlotte residents to contribute to this national project and preserve their stories for future generations.

You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter for updates on when and how to register to record your story.

Orbus Building New Operations Facility in Huntersville: A $25 Million Investment Creating 100 Jobs

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via Orbus

Orbus Visual Communications, a leading company in the visual communications, retail environments, and workplace interiors sector, is set to expand its operations with a new $25 million manufacturing facility in Huntersville. This development is expected to generate 100 new jobs while also relocating 86 existing positions from Charlotte.

Orbus serves high-profile clients such as Audi, Nike, and Wrangler. The upcoming 225,000 square foot facility on Hambright Road will merge the production capabilities of SEG Systems and Fabric Images, encompassing a wide range of processes from printing and metal fabrication to wood working and lighting.

“I am proud of Orbus Visual Communications and our success, marked by this relocation and expansion to a new cutting-edge facility,” said Gary Keefer, CEO of Orbus Visual Communications in a press release. “This relocation and expansion propels us forward and reinforces our commitment to excellence in the Retail and Interiors markets.”

SEG Systems, originally based in Charlotte, specializes in the engineering and manufacturing of lightboxes, frames, and various merchandising and display systems. Orbus’s acquisition strategy saw SEG Systems joining its portfolio in 2022, following the earlier acquisition of Fabric Images in 2020.

The official opening of the new facility is marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for the afternoon of April 17 at 10701 Hambright Rd.

Mecklenburg County Igniting a ‘Controlled Burn’ This Morning by Mountain Island Lake

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The Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff has just announced that they will be setting the Latta Nature Preserve (on the east side of Mountain Island Lake) on fire today at noon as part of a controlled burn.

The county sent out an alert noting that smoke will be seen around West Charlotte and Huntersville today between 11am and 2pm:

“Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff are conducting a controlled burn today beginning around 11am at McDowell Nature Preserve. Smoke will affect air quality in the downwind area for 2-3 hours. To reduce your exposure to smoke, stay indoors or avoid areas of heavy smoke.”

According to the Mecklenburg County website, “land managers use controlled burns (also known as prescribed fire) to mimic the natural disturbance caused by the natural fires of years ago. These fires are carefully planned and conducted under specific weather conditions to achieve specific goals. In this way fire can safely be used as a management tool.”

American Idol’s Golden Ticket Winner: How Gastonia’s Bethany Teague Turned Setback into Success

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Bethany Teague, a teacher from Gastonia, has just advanced to the next round of “American Idol” after earning a golden ticket during Sunday’s episode.

In an interview on the show, Teague talked about her drive and deep commitment to her family. Following the tragic loss of her mother in 2017, Teague stepped into a parental role for her three younger siblings.

Now 25, Teague’s journey from working in a dementia unit post-high school to pursuing higher education in Elementary Education and Teaching at Central Piedmont Community College.

After graduating, she landed a job as a teacher at First United Methodist Church in Gastonia.

When Covid hit, Teague started her musical career in her down time on TikTok, and after her initial rejection for American Idol in 2020, she continued to work on her voice, her persona, and her followers.

@itsbethanyteague Me in my feelins 😊 #FlexEveryAngle #Duet #singersoftiktok #singwithme #sing #fyp #forgetmelewiscapaldi #cover #sing ♬ original sound – Bethany Teague

Severe Geomagnetic Storm Could Produce Northern Lights in North Carolina

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A severe geomagnetic storm, caused by solar eruptions sending plasma towards Earth, has the potential to display the Northern Lights as far south as North Carolina and Tennessee.

The NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) issued an alert following the detection of an X 1.1 solar flare and a coronal hole high-speed stream.

Auroras, or Northern and Southern Lights, occur when solar particles interact with Earth’s atmosphere. Initially assessed at levels G1 or G2, the storm has intensified to a G4 category on the SWPC’s five-point scale, indicating severe space weather conditions.

According to Alaska’s Geophysical Institute, the aurora should peak tonight between 11pm to 2am (3-6 UTC) in the darkest part of the night’s sky.

Northern Lights lit up the North Carolina sky for the third time of 2023 on Nov. 5th after an exceptionally powerful CME from the sun blasted our magnetosphere, similar to what is expected to happen tonight.

If you want to get your own shots of the stunning aurora tonight, you’ll need a long-exposure camera and a very dark place where you have an unobstructed view toward the northern sky. The best place would be a remote mountain top along the blue ridge parkway with north-facing views.

You can find the dark spots in your area using the official light pollution map here.

Happy aurora hunting!

North Carolina professor: legalized betting could undermine the integrity of sports

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Sports betting is a powerful gambling tool that certainly has the potential to affect the integrity of sporting events. Recently, legalized betting has raised serious concerns, and this has raised concerns among many sports and legal experts. One such concern was shared by a professor from North Carolina, expressing his fears about the potential negative consequences of this legislative initiative.

Despite the legalization of betting, some experts have expressed concerns 

North Carolinians have recently been able to legally bet on sporting events, opening up the world of gambling in a new light. Eight operators have already gone live, which means that now every resident can bet on their favorite team or sports hero simply by using their cell phone. This presents a great opportunity for the gambling industry in the state and can lead to increased economic activity and revenue for local businesses.

However, despite all the positive prospects, the flip side of the coin has emerged. A philosophy professor from Davidson College has expressed his fears about the consequences of legalizing sports betting. He argues that the main danger lies not in the act of betting on the NCAA tournament itself but in the potential consequences that could affect the integrity of sporting events. Gambling can lead to undesirable situations involving corruption, pressure on athletes, or even fixing results, which threatens the integrity and transparency of sporting events.

Mobile sports betting ads can take attention away from reality, warns the professor. He believes that people should realize the difference between sports betting and online casino money from www.twinspinca.com rankings or home poker. In his opinion, it is worth considering sports betting as a separate activity, but for many people, sports are already valuable in their own right.

He points out an important point: when it comes to gambling, people tend to fixate on winning or losing money. He encourages fans to analyze the impact of gambling on college sports to see the consequences.

Finally, the professor encourages caution and research on all aspects of the issue in order to make informed decisions. He emphasizes the importance of taking your time and carefully weighing the pros and cons of mobile sports betting.

Breaking Barriers: AI Solutions for Real Estate Agents

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No matter the industry or type of work you do, it is almost always true that in order to be successful, you need to be on the cutting edge. You need to be open to adopting new technologies that promise to expand your influence and your reach. This is especially true for any industry that requires sales, where competition is the name of the game, and the real estate industry is no different. 

The internet has brought a massive shift in how realtors market their services, from email listings, to real estate websites to online newsletters. Now a new technology has emerged that seems destined to become a staple for all realtors going forward and if you want to separate yourself from the competition, you need to be an early adopter. This technology, of course, is AI. 

AI for real estate may seem like an overly complicated idea, for a profession that relies on human-to-human interaction, but consider how many job responsibilities of a realtor rely on large amounts of data and repeating processes, i.e. what AI software thrives in. AI has the power to automate a lot of the grunt work needed to succeed as a real estate agent, so realtors can focus on their interpersonal skills and connections, which makes the job so rewarding. Continue reading the article below to learn more.

AI-Powered Lead Generation

One of the biggest advantages of using AI for real estate is its demonstrated ability to rapidly increase the number of leads you generate on a consistent basis. Traditional methods like email mailing lists, postcards, and physical ads are far too inefficient – and newer methods like Zillow listings are often cost-prohibitive for most realtors. 

AI-powered software straddles the line between efficiency and affordability, guaranteeing realtors the best chance of increasing their leads and their potential commissions while not having to sacrifice a large amount of capital. 

AI-powered lead generation uses dynamic ads that appear on social media platforms like Facebook to target buyers in the area. Using algorithms, geo-target keywords, and more filtering tools, they can find likely buyers based on their behavior on online platforms and how they engage with your dynamic ads—leading to a large amount of quality leads in a short amount of time. 

Automate Lead Nurturing Ai-Voice and Text 

Once a lead is established, it’s important to contact them immediately and consistently to establish a connection. This can be a challenge for realtors with a leads database that can reach the thousands. AI for real estate software utilizes text and speech technology to automate the process. Calling or texting a lead as soon as they engage with your ads, handling appointments and call backs, and more. 

Ai For Real Estate Is The Future

AI has infiltrated and revolutionized many industries in the span of a few short years and real estate is no different. Its capacity to absorb large amounts of data and create customizable processes out of it make it perfect for lead generation and lead nurturing. If you are struggling with that aspect of your real estate career it may be right for you.

If You See Purple Fence Posts In North Carolina Get Away

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purple-fence-paint-no-tresspassing-in-north-carolinaIf you like to hike or explore around North Carolina woods, authorities are warning people to be on the lookout for purple fence posts – especially if you have a pet.

North Carolina law allows land owners to protect their land by marking the outskirts of their territory with bright purple spray paint.

According to House Bill 762, “The owner or lessee of the property may place identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts around the area to be posted…”

“Any person who willfully goes on the (painted) land, waters, ponds, or a legally established waterfowl blind of another…without the written consent…shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor…”

“Any person who willfully goes on the (painted) land of another raking or removing pine needles or pine straw…shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor…”

The law was initially enacted to make it easier and more permanent for land owners to post “no trespassing” warnings around their property without worrying about the signs being ripped down or blown off.

This purple paint is especially important for pet owners, as court precedent (State v. Smith,  156 N.C. 628, 72 S.E. 321) allows North Carolina land owners to shoot and kill dogs that might be a threat to themselves, their animals, or their property. That law was recently put to the test when a Sanford, NC land owner was found not guilty after shooting and killing a neighbor’s dog.

You can find out more about North Carolina’s Landowner Protection Act here.

Stunning Ash Blonde Hair Color Ideas to Try in 2024

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Committing to one shade of hair color is hard, but choosing from the ocean of shades is harder. With warmer tones like golden blonde, mahogany, copper, or brown as apparent choices in the past few years, change is inevitable. TikTok and social media are flooded with new hair color trends, with cooler tones raking in a sizable interest. Also, celebrities flaunting their ash blonde, silver, or platinum hair has increased the popularity of the color.  

Amongst all the cooler shades, ash blonde hair color reigns to capture maximum attention. Ash blonde looks flattering with mixed undertones of gray, silver, blue, and violet. If you want a stunning hair transformation, here are a few ash blonde color ideas for 2024. 

Ash Blonde Balayage with Gray Undertones 

Balayage in all colors looks stunning, and ash blonde is no different. Mixing ash blonde with darker shades of gray creates a mellow contrast. Balayage is a technique that involves hand painting the color on hair to create a softer and blended appearance with a natural lighter gradation towards the end. For a beautiful contrast, wear an ash-blonde balayage with darker gray undertones. Balayage on messy, loose waves looks an absolute delight. 

Buttery Ash Blonde 

This is undeniably one of the best finds if you want a subtle mix of warm and cool tones. The cool hues of ash blonde and warm shades of buttery blonde are a classic combination. The color is the marriage of yellow 90’s blonde (the one Pamela Anderson flaunted in Baywatch) to the present-day ashy hue flaunted by many celebrities. 

Silver ash blonde highlights 

Bring two cool-toned colors together and let them do their magic. Team ash blonde hair color with shiny silver highlights to channel that classy, sophisticated look. Opt for an ashy blonde balayage and add depth to the hair by highlighting with silver. You are all set to look chic with the silver and ash blonde blend. 

Muted Ash Blonde

It’s a mix of light blonde undertones with cool-toned lowlight that highlights the ashy tones. Transform your look with soft natural roots teamed with slightly bright blonde ends. This is an excellent option if you don’t want the ashy color to be too overpowering. The color looks best on people with cooler skin undertone. Muted ashy shade and straight hair complement each other. 

Platinum ash-blonde 

Try the platinum ash blonde if you want a cool-toned color that brings in the silver fox vibe. Opt for a permanent hair color if you want the color to last, but pre-lightening is necessary, depending on hair type. Finding its place towards the end of the cool spectrum, it’s the perfect mix of icy blondes with smoky hues. Darker or shadow roots in silver with ashy hues towards the end look stylish. 

Ash-blonde Ombre 

The combination of ombre and ash blonde looks absolutely gorgeous, especially on loose beach waves. Ombre is the blending of two hair colors, with shades darker at the top and gradually lighter towards the bottom. Try dark gray towards the roots and progressively color from midway to end using silver or platinum ash blonde to create a stunning ombre. 

Coppery ash-blonde 

This is the perfect mix of warm and cool-toned colors complementing each other. Try balayage to bring both colors together. Add notes of copper highlights on ash blonde hair to beautifully enhance the combination. The warmth of the copper along the length adds a bit of extra dimension. 

Undoubtedly, all eyes are on ash blonde, making it a hot favorite for this year. However, seeking a professional hair colorist before opting for an ashy blonde color is best. A hair colorist can help you choose the perfect ash blonde combination for your hair, depending on your skin tone, undertone, and hair type.