Checkers and Knights Joining Forces To Plan The First Professional Outdoor Hockey Game in Charlotte History

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Checkers and Knights Joining Forces To Plan The First Professional Outdoor Hockey Game in Charlotte History

This Winter, the Charlotte Checkers will make history in the Queen City.  have unveiled exciting new details about their inaugural outdoor hockey game, the Queen City Outdoor Classic.

In a collaborative effort between the Checkers and the Charlotte Knights, the unique event will become the very first professional outdoor hockey game in Charlotte’s sporting history, and it will mark the first time Checkers have ever played on an outdoor rink.

The groundwork for this exciting venture was laid in December when the Knights installed an ice rink on the field for their annual holiday festival, allowing the Checkers to partake in an outdoor practice.

This historic event will take place on January 13, hosted at Truist Field in the heart of Uptown Charlotte.

The official game rink will be located located between first and third base across the infield dirt behind the pitcher’s mound.

via Charlotte Knights

Here’s a teaser reel about the historic upcoming outdoor match:

This winter’s Queen City Outdoor Classic game will join an exclusive club of outdoor games.

To date, there have been only 11 such games in AHL history, with just two of them taking place at minor-league baseball stadiums, those being the 2013 matchup between Rochester and Lake Erie at Rochester’s Frontier Field and the 2015 showdown between Stockton and Bakersfield at Sacramento’s Raley Field.

You can find out more information or buy tickets here.

Eco-Friendly Commuting: Charlotte Offering Free E-Bikes to Homebuyers

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Eco-Friendly Commuting: Charlotte Offering Free E-Bikes to Homebuyers

Residents in North Charlotte are about to receive their very own high-tech e-bike for free as part of a new pilot program.

The initiative will distribute a minimum of 200 e-bikes to residents who are in the city’s House Charlotte down payment assistance program, offering them a greener option for commuting, running errands, and accessing health care.

The program includes training and maintenance services for the e-bikes.

North Charlotte was picked due to it’s relatively low access to public transit and established bike lanes.

The new pilot program has been funded by a $300,000 from the Wells Fargo Championship.

Winter is Officially Here – North Carolina’s Ski Resorts Opening Early with Fresh Snow

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Winter is Officially Here – North Carolina’s Ski Resorts Opening Early with Fresh Snow

Winter has arrived in North Carolina, bringing frost to the piedmont region and snow to the mountains.

This week’s sudden change in weather is allowing for the early opening of several Carolina ski resorts.

At Sugar Mountain Resort, the forecasted sub-freezing temperatures this week caused them to start cranking up the snow guns – now with 110 machines in action.

In a Facebook post, the resort notes; “10-30 inches of man-made powder coat 6 of 20 trails: Northridge, Switchback, Upper and Lower Flying Mile, Easy Street, and Magic Carpet area.”

According to the North Carolina Ski Areas Association, the state’s six ski resorts contribute over $225 million annually to the western North Carolina economy and provide employment for hundreds at each location.

Appalachian Ski Mountain is set to open on Thursday, with Beech Mountain Resort following on Saturday.

Here in Charlotte, we’ll likely only see one more freezing night this week.

via Weather.gov

Indian Smart Battery Company Building $649 Million US Headquarters Here in North Carolina

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Indian Smart Battery Company Building $649 Million US Headquarters Here in North Carolina

Epsilon Advanced Materials, a refiner of synthetic graphite for electric vehicle batteries, is building its first US headquarters and manufacturing hub right here in North Carolina. They plan on spending $649.9 million on the sprawling new facility in Brunswick County and create at least 500 jobs, with an average salary of $52,264 (higher than the county’s current average of $46,464).

“This facility is the largest Indian investment in the U.S. electric vehicle battery industry and we’re proud to have North Carolina as the centerpiece of our U.S. manufacturing strategy,” said EAM Founder Vikram Handa in a press release. “Having an environmentally friendly world-class facility in North Carolina will allow EAM to provide synthetic and natural graphite anodes to the growing EV battery industry faster, more reliably and at a competitive cost.”

Originating from Mumbai, Epsilon’s cutting-edge graphite technology is crucial for fast-charging, durable, and safe lithium-ion batteries. This move positions them to tap into the surging demand for renewable energy storage.

This major investment is backed by a Job Development Investment Grant, which could reimburse the company up to $3.44 million over 12 years, based on job creation and investment targets. Plus, the project is projected to bolster the state’s economy by a whopping $1.3 billion!

Additionally, a portion of the grant will support rural infrastructure upgrades, benefiting communities across the state. This project is a collaborative effort, with partners including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and several other state agencies and organizations.

Panthers’ New Era: Tepper To Pick Head Coach From Top Candidates

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Panthers’ New Era: Tepper To Pick Head Coach From Top Candidates

After firing head coach Frank Reich yesterday, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper will soon pick the new leader who will hopefully guide us to some wins.

Tepper will soon decide between a narrow field of candidates to strengthen player cohesion and find a way to develop our young quarterback Bryce Young.

Top contenders include:

    • Ben Johnson: Offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, lauded for enhancing their offense and working with Jared Goff. Previously declined the Panthers’ role, making his selection unlikely.
    • Luke Kuechly: A revered former Panthers linebacker who served as a Pro Scout for the team in 2020 and recently assisted former defensive coordinator Sean McDermott with the Bills.
    • Greg Olsen: A three-time Pro Bowl tight end and Panthers favorite, currently a broadcaster with Fox Sports.

  • Eric Bieniemy: A recurring head coach candidate, currently facing challenges due to reputation concerns and his recent role with the less successful Washington Commanders.
  • Bobby Slowik: Houston Texans’ offensive coordinator, recognized for his work with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
  • Kellen Moore: Offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, previously with the Dallas Cowboys. Respected but his readiness for a head coaching position at age 35 is questioned.

NFL regulations delay in-person interviews with candidates from other teams until post-playoffs.

Who do you think might be our next coach?

One of Charlotte-Area’s Most Expensive Homes Just Listed on Lake Norman For $10 Million

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One of Charlotte-Area’s Most Expensive Homes Just Listed on Lake Norman For $10 Million

In the ever-expanding and oh-so-affordable real estate market of Charlotte, 8-figure price tags are starting to pop up. A single family house was just listed for sale on Lake Norman for a cool $10 million.

The property is a Spanish-style 5-bedroom, 8-bathroom villa at 173 Rehoboth Lane, currently being listed by Keller Williams Lake Norman.

via Canopy MLS

A Bargain at $10 Million

Let’s talk about this steal of a deal. For just $10 million, you get a single-family home that boasts not one, not two, but five full bedrooms. And because sometimes a full bath for each bedroom just isn’t enough, they’ve thrown in three additional partial baths. Because, why not? After all, who likes to share?

Room for Your Cars… and Your Neighbor’s

Worried about parking? Fear not! This house comes with a 3-car garage. That’s right, you can finally give your prized collection of vehicles the luxury home they deserve. And if your neighbor ever runs out of space in their measly two-car garage, you can lend them a spot. It’s good to be neighborly, after all.

via Canopy MLS

Location, Location, and… Price?

Nestled in Mooresville, this house isn’t just a home; it’s a statement. A statement that says, “Yes, I can spend $10 million on a house, and yes, it’s worth every penny.” After all, when you’re living in the most expensive house on Lake Norman, you’re not just buying real estate; you’re buying bragging rights.

via Canopy MLS

So, if you’ve got a spare $10 million lying around and are in the market for a house that’s almost as impressive as your bank account, 173 Rehoboth Lane might just be the place for you. And for the rest of us? Well, we can always dream, can’t we?

Charlotte Coming Together to Celebrate 10th Annual #GivingTuesdayCLT

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Charlotte Coming Together to Celebrate 10th Annual #GivingTuesdayCLT

November 28th marks Charlotte’s 10th year celebrating the global generosity movement GivingTuesday locally with #GivingTuesdayCLT, powered by SHARE Charlotte.

Celebrated annually the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Over the past nine years, this event has generated over $40 million in contributions to Charlotte’s nonprofit organizations. On November 28th, Charlotte’s community is encouraged to participate through www.sharecharlotte.org, offering various ways to contribute:

  • Monetary Donations: Individuals can donate to an organization that resonates with them. Additionally, the first 300 donors who contribute $50 or more to their chosen nonprofit via sharecharlotte.org on November 28th will have their donation matched by Lowe’s with a $50 electronic gift card to that nonprofit.
  • Volunteering: There are numerous opportunities to volunteer, both virtually and in-person.
  • Material Donations: Shoppers can fulfill nonprofits’ needs by purchasing items from their Amazon wish lists.

To mark this significant day and boost the spirit of generosity in Charlotte, SHARE Charlotte will organize the #GivingTuesdayCLT Headquarters at Community Matters Cafe from 10 am to 1 pm. The event will feature local nonprofits, media, corporate partners, and community leaders. The schedule includes:

  • 10 am – 11:15 am: Interviews with nonprofit representatives, hosted by Jason Harper on Instagram Live.
  • 11:30 am – 12:45 pm: Announcements of corporate gifts, also hosted by Jason Harper on Instagram Live.
  • 12:45 pm – 1 pm: A raffle prize drawing to conclude the event.

New Data: Charlotte Rents Down 2.7% from Summer Peak

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New Data: Charlotte Rents Down 2.7% from Summer Peak

Rents fluctuate up and down with the seasons, but November is usually when rents fall the fastest. This year is no exception; prices nationwide dropped 1% this month, capping a second consecutive slow winter for the rental market. Today, rents are down $32 (2.4%) from their mid-year peak in August.

Vacancies get harder to fill as we draw closer to the holidays, so now is the time when renters have the most sway in lease negotiations. In some regions like Austin TX, Atlanta GA, and much of the San Francisco Bay Area, renters will find new leases today for >5% less than if they had signed in the summer.

For the latest data, see our full December Rent Report here.

Some highlights include:

  • The rental market is squarely in the winter slow season, and after falling 1.0% in November, rents in Charlotte are down 2.7% since their summer peak.
  • As moving activity slows during the holidays, this is the time of year where renters find the best deals on apartments. Today the median rent in Charlotte is $1,296 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,420 for a two-bedroom unit.
  • If historical seasonal patterns hold, rent growth should heat up once again in early 2024, but a strong supply of new units coming online next year should moderate prices a bit.

NCDHHS Announces First Pediatric Flu Death This Season – Urging Vaccines For Everyone Over 6

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NCDHHS Announces First Pediatric Flu Death This Season – Urging Vaccines For Everyone Over 6

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the first pediatric death due to flu in the 2023-2024 season. The child, from western North Carolina, succumbed to complications from influenza. To respect the family’s privacy, further details are withheld.

“We extend our sincere condolences to this child’s family after their tragic loss,” said NCDHHS State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore in a press release. “Vaccination is the most effective protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from flu, RSV and COVID-19 infections, and there is still time to protect children this respiratory virus season.”

The state is experiencing an increase in flu and RSV cases, along with ongoing COVID-19 activity. So far, five adults in North Carolina have died from the flu this season. Nationally, one other pediatric flu death has been reported as of November 11, 2023, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Children, particularly those under 5 years of age or those with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, are at increased risk of severe flu complications. The CDC advises flu vaccinations for all children over 6 months and updated COVID-19 vaccines for those 5 years and older. Infants 6 months to 4 years old require multiple COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Healthcare providers can advise parents on protecting infants from severe RSV, including vaccination during late pregnancy. Early testing and treatment are key in managing flu and COVID-19 in children, and treatment is most effective when started early in the illness.

To prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, it’s recommended to stay home when sick, use separate rooms and bathrooms if possible, avoid contact with others, not share personal items, wear masks around people, cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently, avoid touching the face, and regularly clean and disinfect surfaces.

For more information on flu and COVID-19, including vaccine, testing, and treatment availability, the public can visit www.vaccines.gov, www.flu.ncdhhs.gov, or covid.19.ncdhhs.gov. NCDHHS also provides weekly updates on respiratory viruses through the Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard.

Tepper Fires Head Coach After 10th Loss Of The Season To The Titans

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Tepper Fires Head Coach After 10th Loss Of The Season To The Titans

In yesterday’s game at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, the Panthers suffered a 17-10 defeat to the Titans, dropping their season record to 1-10.

Despite an impressive touchdown run by Chuba Hubbard in the third quarter, the Panthers only managed 258 yards of total offense.

The Titans capitalized on a turnover by Panthers’ quarterback Bryce Young, leading to a Derrick Henry touchdown.

Injuries plagued the Panthers throughout the game, with several players, including Laviska Shenault Jr., Chandler Zavala, DJ Johnson, and Vonn Bell, unable to return after leaving the field.

The team also faced challenges with position shifts and absences, including those of cornerback Dicaprio Bootle and tight end Hayden Hurst. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton was on the injury report but did not play.

After yet another depressing loss, the Panthers organization made the decision to release head coach Frank Reich.

“I met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers,” owner David Tepper said in a press release. “I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service, and we wish him well.”

What else do you think should be done at this point? 

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