Half of North Carolina students are planning a sober Spring Break this year, survey finds

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Half of North Carolina students are planning a sober Spring Break this year, survey finds

Contrary to widely held assumptions about the bad behavior of party-loving ‘spring breakers,’ a survey of 3,145 college students by RecoveryFirst.org has found that almost half (47%) who are currently on, or planning to go on spring break this year will NOT be drinking any alcohol. College students from North Carolina are more likely to stay sober this spring break – 52% say they will be practicing sobriety.

Complaints in recent years by locals in spring break hot spots have certainly not been unwarranted. Last year, spring breakers and tourists alike gathered along Miami’s Ocean Drive, enticed by its comparatively looser COVID restrictions as compared to other holiday destinations. At times, however, the situation got out of hand with some breaking into public fights, destroying restaurant property and causing danger to those around them. After the Miami Beach Police brought in SWAT teams to disperse crowds, the city decided to order an emergency 8:00 p.m. curfew at the time.

Despite these incidents, it appears there is a significant percentage of students who will have a sober spring break this year. This could be due to personal reasons, like having different interests outside of alcohol and/or drugs or testing out one of the popular social media sobriety trends, like #SoberCurious.

Along with other alcohol-free lifestyle trends, the idea of a sober lifestyle appears to be increasing in popularity among young people today; research has shown that Generation Z is drinking less than their parents’ generation did when they were young. One of the suggested reasons is a growing health and wellness movement, which means young people may be more concerned about their bodies, and how alcohol may negatively affect them. Interestingly, Marshall University in West Virginia will host a series of “Safer Spring Break” activities this year, which are focused on harm reduction and ensuring students’ well-being and health.

According to the survey, spring breakers from Delaware and Arkansas are the most likely to stay sober this year with two thirds declaring sobriety. Comparatively, only 15% of students from New Hampshire plan on staying sober.

Infographic showing sober spring breakers in each state

Authorities in some spring break hot spots are implementing measures that encourage sobriety. Miami Beach, for example, will be providing music, wellness and food experiences.

Despite Miami Beach’s efforts to ban sales of alcohol past 2:00 a.m., which was recently struck down allowing sales to continue until 5:00 a.m., the survey found that more than half (56%) of respondents said they think alcohol sales should indeed be restricted after 2:00 a.m. in popular spring break holiday destinations.

Another 25% of those who had been on spring break in the past said they felt pressure to drink alcohol during this time. Perhaps introducing a set of limitations could be helpful in terms of spring breakers’ safety, health and wellness during this time, too.

For those attempting to have a relaxing vacation during spring break, popular student destinations are precisely the locations to avoid because of the noise and rowdiness of constant drinking and partying. In fact, nearly 3 in 4 (73%) people who are planning on vacationing this spring said they will be avoiding any locations popular among students.

The survey also broke down which destinations non-spring breakers will be avoiding this year due to too many students and the results showed:

Miami: 32%

Daytona Beach: 17%

South Padre Island: 14%

Cancún: 14%

Cabo San Lucas: 12%

Panama City Beach: 12%

With a typical Spring Break vacation lasting around six days on average, the survey also discovered that the average drinker said they’re drunk three out of these days while on holiday – so for half the time of the entire duration.

Some of Charlotte’s Top Musicians Hosting Benefit Concert for Ukraine This Week

Steve
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Some of Charlotte’s Top Musicians Hosting Benefit Concert for Ukraine This Week

This week, some of Charlotte’s top musicians will be coming together to raise money for Ukrainian refugees.

The benefit concert, “Charlotte For Ukraine” will be held on Thursday night at the Visulite theater in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood.

Tickets cost $20 each and 100% of ticket sales will go to Tearfund for their work with people displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.

The concert will feature platinum-selling singer-songwriter John Mark McMillen, award-winning Ukrainian (now Charlottean) guitarist Marina Alexandra, folk artist Mark Mathis, singer-songwriter Andy Squyres, and others.

John Mark McMillen has released over 20 albums and is perhaps most well known for writing one of the most iconic Christian songs of the past decade – “How He Loves” – a song re-recorded by dozens of artists, including Chris Tomlin and David Crowder, and sung millions of times in churches all around the world.

McMillen’s iconically deep tone was also recently commissioned to be the voice of the Terminator: Dark Fate trailer, and for the trailer of Paramount’s Evil series.

The Charlotte for Ukraine benefit concert will also feature classical guitarist Marina Alexandra. According to her website, Alexandra was born in the Ukraine, where she began her guitar studies at the age of six. In 1996 she immigrated with her family to the United States and began teaching and performing classical guitar from her home base in Charlotte. Over the past 15 years, Marina has received awards in several guitar competitions including the Music Teachers National Association State and Regional Competitions and semifinalist in the 6th annual Edwin H. and Leigh W. Schadt National String Competition for classical guitar.

The concert will also include Andy Squires:

Mark Mathis:

and Julie Susanne Clark:

You can find out more information or buy tickets for the Charlotte for Ukraine benefit concert here.

CMPD’s Retail Theft Task Force Takes Down Crime Ring

Charlotte Stories
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CMPD’s Retail Theft Task Force Takes Down Crime Ring

This morning, CMPD held a press conference where they discussed the recent operations of the Retail Theft Task Force.

According to officers, there have already been 25 cases initiated by a robbery in 2022, with many thieves being repeat offenders. One busted retail theft crime ring was discovered to have 82 thousand dollars in cash, along with around 50 thousand dollars worth of new tools and 3 vehicles.

“We deserve better, our community deserves better, and our retail stores deserve better as well,” said CMPD Detective Anthony Finocchio.

What more do you think should be done to stop retail theft here in Charlotte?

Amazon Building New 65-Acre Project in Gaston County

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Amazon Building New 65-Acre Project in Gaston County

Amazon is about to expand in the Charlotte region once again with the addition of a massive new distribution facility in Gaston County.

According to Bessemer City Manager James Inman, the new 65-acre facility (codenamed “Project GT) will include a 180,000 square foot high-tech distribution center and will create upwards of 400 new jobs.

This expansion is in line with Amazon’s recent moves to invest heavily in its order-fulfillment capabilities, opening more warehouses and expanding same-day delivery. They currently operate 48.3 million square feet in North America, in 96 total distribution centers.

amazon same day delivery charlotteThe increased investments make sense when you consider that Amazon spent $8.6 billion on order fulfillment last year, which was almost double the $4.6 billion the company spent on order fulfillment in 2011.

Their expansion tactics will allow them to cut out UPS and FedEx and their distribution networks. Once they complete their own full-scale distribution network, Amazon will be able to keep goods in its network until they’re almost at their destination, then use the U.S. Postal Service for the last leg of delivery. They have even been talking about even using flying drones to deliver the goods to their client’s door steps in the near future.

Amazon’s newest distribution center in Bessemer City is now expected to open sometime in late 2022.

Filing for Social Security Disability and What to Do in the Case of a Refusal

Sharon Anderson
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Filing for Social Security Disability and What to Do in the Case of a Refusal

Filing for disability can be quite technical when it all comes down to it because h handful of the people in the government will make an effort to find any reason to not allow disability payments to be granted to a person. Disabled people can be refused disability payments if legislation dictates that they do not have sufficient reasons to be paid. However, if one recognizes that disability should be paid to them, they should hire a legal attorney to go through the details of their case and present them in a court of law.

When Should You Apply for Reconsideration?

It is imperative that if you genuinely have a disability that you hire a lawyer and ask them to handle your disability case. This step requires a reconsideration process that has to be done by an examiner who wasn’t present at the previous examination. This examination should be done within 60 days of the denial, otherwise, it may lie in the favor of the government and you may be denied disability again. 

Apart from that, it is also important that the disability either be recurring or they might think it is a one time issue and you won’t  you get paid the disability amount from the government. It is not easy to prove disability and you will have to hire a proper lawyer to be able to state your case.

Why is a Disability Hearing Important?

A disability hearing is an important step in the process that you will have to go through if you want your disability payment to be approved by the government. This hearing will be held within 60 days after you have initially been denied the disability. Not everyone is going to have their disability approved even after the hearing and you should keep that in mind before diving in head first. 

There are a few elements that you should keep in mind regarding the hearing. To start, you must remember that this is an informal hearing and you are going to present your case in front of an Administrative Law Judge. This judge will ask your health professional to be present to give a testimony on your behalf. This health professional will state all the reasons why you should be approved for disability and why it is in the favor of your health. 

During this period, you will also get ample time to give the reasoning for your receiving disability payments and the opportunity to clear up any issues that may be leading to your denial. You will receive the decision of the judge between 30 to 120 days after this and there is still a chance that you may be refused disability.

Requesting a Review

In addition to a hearing, if you are still refused disability, you may have to request a review in a court of law. In the review, there could be one of three outcomes; overturning of the decision, affirmation of the judge’s decision, and finally, it could be such that the decision is sent out for further review. 

Why You Should Hire a Lawyer?

According to Jan Dils from Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, there are quite a few complexities in a disability case and only a professional will be able to decipher why your case may not be ruled in your favor. A lawyer will gather all of the evidence and make sure that you do not have to deal with disappointment of losing again.

8 Acrylic Painting Tips for Beginners

Sharon Anderson
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Acrylic is usually the medium that beginner painters start with. It’s easy to use, easy to clean up, and super versatile when it comes to painting all sorts of subjects – portrait or landscape. 

If you’re stuck on where or how to begin your very first acrylic painting, we recommend trying out paint by numbers. There are plenty of paint by numbers for beginners that will help you learn the very basics before you’re thrown in at the deep end with a blank canvas. This is your learning journey. 

In the meantime, we have eight acrylic painting tips that can make the whole beginner process easier. 

Let’s paint! 

1. Use synthetic brushes 

Make sure you’re using the right kind of brushes. Because it’s a medium-bodied paint, acrylic adheres much better to thicker, more bristly synthetic brushes – any local arts and crafts will have some. You just have to look in the right places.

2. Use a reference

Even the most talented painters sometimes struggle painting from imagination – so make sure you have a reference in front of you. Don’t make it too hard for yourself. 

Use a photo or paint something you can physically see in the room or out the window. That way you can keep referring back to the subject to get the lines and composition just right. 

3. Paint fast

The fast-drying nature of acrylic paint means you need to paint relatively fast. Once acrylic has dried on your canvas, that’s it. 

If you find your working speed is far too slow for acrylic, try mixing in acrylic paint extenders to add moisture and keep the paint wetter and usable for longer. 

4. Don’t skimp on the paint

It’s best to paint thicker, denser layers rather than thin, transparent layers. That way your painting will really pop with bigger and brighter colors. Less definitely isn’t more when it comes to acrylics!

5. Use bigger and wider strokes 

Wider strokes are better when creating texture in certain things like the sea, skies, or greenery. Save the thinner, finer strokes for more intricate details. It’s all about understanding the subject by looking at the bigger picture – don’t stress about the minor things. 

6. Paint with contrasting colors 

To make the painting look more aesthetically interesting and realistic, try painting with contrasting warm colors (oranges, reds, yellows) and cool colors (blues, purples). 

7. Experiment with different techniques 

Acrylic is a super adaptable and easily-blended paint, so don’t be afraid to play around with it. Put the brush down once in a while and use your finger or a palette knife. Different tools will create different textures and effects, so feel free to experiment to your heart’s content. 

8. Remember you can always paint over mistakes

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – even the world’s most talented painters make them. 

You can always paint over stray marks or wrong colors at the end once everything is dry. Find your unique style by learning from your blunders, not avoiding them.

6 Sea Moss Benefits and How to Include It In Your Daily Routine

Charlotte Stories
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6 Sea Moss Benefits and How to Include It In Your Daily Routine

Whether you’ve seen posts on social media about the power of sea moss or someone’s recommended it to you, sea moss is the talk of the wellness world nowadays. And for good reason. 

This species of seaweed is a certified superfood, containing 92 of the 102 essential minerals and vitamins that our bodies need to function healthily. To get this many nutrients in one supplement is almost unheard of in the wellness industry – especially one that’s completely natural. If you’re looking for a daily supplement that can do it all, sea moss is a great choice.

Not quite convinced? Let’s look at some of the benefits of this little sea plant. 

1. Help balancing hormone production

Sea moss contains high levels of iodine – difficult to find in everyday foods – and is vital for supporting thyroid function. Amongst other things, the thyroid is responsible for producing hormones for our bodies, and taking this plant each day can help keep everything balanced. 

2. Boost hair health 

Sea moss benefits hair health in a range of ways. It can be used as a topical hair mask to soothe the scalp and provide moisture to the hair, but also ingested. The nutrients found in sea moss, including vitamin E and iron promote hair growth too. 

3. Lower blood pressure

Sea moss’ ability to help lower blood pressure comes from its omega-3 fatty acid content. You might assume that you can only get this nutrient from oily fish, but it can also be found in sea plants, like sea moss. In addition to this, the potassium found in sea moss also contributes to keeping blood pressure lower.

4. Improved immune system

Getting the right vitamins and minerals is key for keeping your body and immune system strong, and ensuring that you don’t suffer too badly if you do fall ill. Your immune response is much better when your body has access to the right nutrients – all achieved when you take sea moss. 

5. Higher energy levels

Another benefit of giving your body all the nutrients it needs is that you’ll have more energy. People who have nutrient deficiencies lack energy because their bodies can’t function at optimum levels. Another process sea moss supports is metabolism – because it boosts your body’s ability to turn food into energy.

6. Aids weight loss

A faster metabolism also means that you have a better chance of hitting your weight loss goals thanks to the fact that you’ll be burning calories at a higher level. Plus, sea moss is known for helping to curb cravings – so you won’t be reaching for those cookies as often!

Sea moss and your daily routine

If you’re ready to start feeling the effects of sea moss, you’ll be glad to learn how easy it is to incorporate into your daily routine. 

Sea moss comes in a variety of forms:

  • gel
  • capsules 
  • powder. 

Each form of sea moss can easily be taken daily: either mixed into a drink or dish, or taken as a capsule, depending on the type you choose. And that’s it, you can enjoy the multitude of benefits of taking this natural supplement. 

MacKenzie Scott Gives Local Habitat For Humanity Massive Gift In $436 Million Giveaway

Charlotte Stories
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MacKenzie Scott Gives Local Habitat For Humanity Massive Gift In $436 Million Giveaway

One of the richest women in the world just donated over $18 million to Charlotte-area Habitat For Humanity branches – significantly boosting low-income housing opportunities around our city.

As part of her pledge to give away the majority of her wealth, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott just announced a donation of $436 million to Habitat for Humanity affiliates nationwide, including $18.5 million to Charlotte affiliates.

“We could not be more excited to get the gift at a time when, in some ways, the state of housing affordability is the worst that it has been in modern times,” Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International’s CEO, told The AP.

MacKenzie Scott is currently one of the richest women in the world, with an estimated net worth of more than $60 billion.

In a Medium blog post, Scott wrote:

“I asked a team of advisors to help me accelerate my giving through immediate support to people suffering the economic effects of the crisis. They took a data-driven approach to identifying organizations with strong leadership teams and results, with special attention to those operating in communities facing high projected food insecurity, high measures of racial inequity, high local poverty rates, and low access to philanthropic capital…

Though I’m far from completing my pledge, this year of giving began with exposure to leaders from historically marginalized groups fighting inequities, and ended with exposure to thousands of organizations working to alleviate suffering for those hardest hit by the pandemic. Witnessing the determination, creativity, and compassion of people in a crisis has been inspiring.”

What do you think about the donation? 

Mecklenburg County Lighting a ‘Controlled Burn’ at 11:30 pm Today

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Mecklenburg County Lighting a ‘Controlled Burn’ at 11:30 pm Today

The Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff has just announced that they will be setting the Latta Nature Preserve and the Buckeye Cove Nature Preserve on fire today as part of a fire-preventing controlled burn.

The county sent out an alert noting that residents may see smoke around North Charlotte today between 11:30am and 2:30pm this afternoon:

“Mecklenburg County Natural Resources staff are conducting controlled burns today beginning around 11:30 at Latta Nature Preserve as well as Buckeye Cove Nature Preserve which is located at the end of Stephen’s Road. 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.”

For more information on Mecklenburg County prescribed burns visit: meck.co/RXfire

Rock Hill’s Clinton College Breaking Ground On New $1 Million Facility

Steve
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Rock Hill’s Clinton College Breaking Ground On New $1 Million Facility

Clinton College will break ground on its new $1 million Academic Building later this week.

The nearly 7,200 square foot facility, located on the main campus of Clinton College will be the future home of the Academic Services Department which includes faculty and staff offices, classrooms, choir room, and writing lab. The building will also house the college’s future nursing program teaching and observation area.

“This new state-of-the-art facility for our academic department is a step in the right direction as we continue to develop the New Clinton,” said Dr. McCorn, President of Clinton College. “With the establishment of new minors and majors at the college, having facilities and resources for our students and faculty is important as we continue to promote academic excellence.”

The college is working with J.M. Cope Construction located in Rock Hill, SC on this exciting project. “We are excited to start another project at Clinton College. We are thankful to be a part of the continued growth on campus and for what it will mean to our community at large,” said J.M. Cope President Wes Drummond. “Clinton College has been a partner of J.M. Cope for many years, and we are thankful for it to continue through the new addition.”

The new academic building is the newest building to be built on campus since 2005. As the college continues to grow, plans are underway to develop more new buildings such as a new residence hall and dining hall.

“The new administration building is just the start of the revitalization of Clinton College’s campus,” said J.M. Cope project manager, Jeffrey Hayes. “J.M. Cope is excited for the future of Clinton College and honored to assist the college in implementing its vision for the future.”

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