Charlotte-Born Fitness Trend Building New 2,200 sqft Studio in Dilworth

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West Kept Secret has just announced plans to open a massive new 2,200 sqft studio in the heart of Dilworth, at 1444 Harding Pl. in the Berkshire Dilworth luxury apartments. West Kept Secret is a female-founded and female-owned high-intensity interval-based workout that fuses together cardio, strength training, and Pilates and counts celebrities like Miss Universe (also known in the Queen City as Miss Christian McCaffrey) Olivia Culpo as clients. 

The trademarked West Kept Secret “machine method” was developed by former Carolina Panthers Topcat Marissa West nearly 10 years ago and originally developed for personal training clients in Plaza Midwood. The method – which is unlike anything else offered in Charlotte – includes a treadmill, Pilates reformer, Pilates springboard, TRX straps, Barre and a Power Systems Boxing Bag. And now, all of those machines are headed to the Dilworth studio for large-group classes. The new studio – the brand’s first brick and mortar location – will also have a year-round discount for all health care workers and current and former military.  Plus, 14 reserved WKS parking spots in the Berkshire deck!

West Kept Secret was named “Best Cardio Class” by Charlotte Magazine in this year’s Best of the Best (BOB) awards, and West and WKS co-owner Heidi Hillman were also finalists for Charlotte Agenda’s 2019 Small Businessperson of the Year.

In the past year alone, West Kept Secret has increased revenue by 100%, created a high-end streaming service from scratch, hired 9 new trainers (including their first-ever male trainer), added 20 new personal training clients (with a personal training waitlist of over 200 Charlotteans) and served as one of the faces of upscale fitness clothier Year of Ours. WKS also hosted two Black Lives Matter virtual cardio & conversation fundraisers this summer, raising nearly $2,000 for local nonprofits 100 Black Men of Charlotte, Inc., and Young Black Leadership Alliance. 

For more information, check out their website here.

North Carolina Zoo About To Be Featured On Nat Geo WILD

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Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the North Carolina Zoo? Here’s your chance to find out! The North Carolina Zoo is featured in the new, eight-part Nat Geo WILD series, SECRETS OF THE ZOO: NORTH CAROLINA, which premieres Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 PM ET. Please check local listings for broadcast information.

North Carolina is home to the world’s largest zoo, with 2,600 acres, large natural habitats and more than 1,800 animals in its care. The show features several Zoo staff, including keepers and veterinarians, and highlight stories, including routine animal husbandry, emergency procedures and the Zoo’s work in conservation and rescue and release of injured wildlife. 

Double Act TV, a London-based production company, produces the series for Nat Geo WILD.

“The North Carolina Zoo is already widely known as one of the most spectacular natural habitat zoos in the world,” said Susi H. Hamilton, secretary of the N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources. “We are so excited for this opportunity to share with a worldwide audience the stories of our zoo, the animals and their keepers.” 

“It’s been a wild year at the Zoo! I’m so proud that our Zoo family can share our passion and commitment to wildlife and conservation with everyone,” said Patricia Simmons, director of the North Carolina Zoo. “The stories are exciting and very touching – they’ll make you laugh and warm your heart.”

How to watch the show? Click here to visit Nat Geo WILD’s listings of providers, including streaming services. After you click ‘Watch,’ click-through ‘More Providers’ for a full list, including streaming services.

What Can We Expect from a Digital Charlotte?

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2020 has proven beyond all odds that the digital output can be beneficial for a state’s economy and GDP. Indeed, as the development of Digital Charlotte shows, North Carolina and Charlotte specifically are primed to boost their digital output and create parity between those using digital means. But there is still some way to go before that is fully actualized. So, what do digital businesses and digital forms of entertainment show about the future of a digital Charlotte?

Digital Businesses

The future of business is digital and we can see that clearly through the growing industries that operate in digital fields in Charlotte. Marketing, for example, has adapted well to what can be done online and through digital means. With focuses on search engine optimization, mobile app development, and social media marketing, digital marketing in Charlotte is helping the city make a name for itself in the field. With organizations ranging from Straight North, Flynaut LLC, Arcalea, and Knowmad Digital Marketing flying the flag for Charlotte.

Digital businesses in Charlotte also help other industries across the city and make chances for the local businesses in and around Charlotte. From restaurants to legal attorneys, photographers to dentists, adding a digital element to their businesses is helping previously traditional sectors attract new customers and increase their business offering. This could range from online ordering for restaurants and shops to online appointments with chiropractors and doctors.

By harnessing their digital credentials, analog businesses can find ways to enhance themselves. This would also boost the digital presence of the city.

Digital Entertainment

A push towards the digital future of Charlotte and NC will be dependent on how traditional entertainment options could be enhanced through digital means. Virtual NASCAR racing, for example, could be one option. May 2020 saw the virtual NASCAR rally at North Carolina’s North Wilkesboro Speedway track. The track was scanned in December 2019 so it could be used for iRacing.

The interest generated could lead to a proliferation of others interested in virtual NASCAR, which could remove barriers to the industry for those not yet into it.

Moreover, the online casino industry could also present opportunities for digital expansion throughout North Carolina. The status of legal online betting varies from state to state, with more states considering legislation to expand betting online. Indeed, North Carolina has no bill introduced currently, although the House lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee rejected one in 2019. The main option currently is the lottery or betting in physical locations, which evokes some of the tension of traditional betting on a different scale. The opportunities for those interested in sports betting in the state could be plentiful.

eSports is on the rise in Charlotte, which presents its promise for the digital output of the state. As the Charlotte eSports website shows, the community is growing and aims to provide those who want to engage with the industry an opportunity to do so. eSports is increasingly being seen in a more legitimate light, especially given how it has its own dedicated section on ESPN’s site. The commitment by Charlotte’s eSports industry could lead to star players representing the state in global championships and show that the city has the propensity to provide such talent.

Charlotte is well placed to boost its digital credentials. The businesses operating in the city and the wider metropolitan area show their adaptability in the digital sphere. Entertainment options are finding digital ways of offering previously analog services.

Ultimately, as digital is seen as the next big revolution across a variety of industries, Charlotte is prepared to take advantage of opportunities it may encounter.

Caulfield Cup Carnival To Go Ahead Behind Closed Doors

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Along with the Melbourne Cup carnival, which takes place at Flemington in November, the Caulfield Cup meeting is one of Australia’s premier horse racing festivals. This month’s carnival is headlined by the Caulfield Cup, which remains the richest mile-and-a-half handicap in the world of flat racing.

The Caulfield Cup was first run Down Under back in the 1870s. Many of Australia’s most famous thoroughbreds have claimed victory in this historic Group One, and a talented field will enter the barriers ahead of this year’s renewal.

Twelve months ago it was Japanese raider, Mer De Glace who sprinted clear of Vow And Declare and Mirage Dancer to win the Caulfield Cup. Many then expected Hisashi Shimizu to follow up in the Melbourne Cup the following month. However, it was Vow And Declare who struck at Flemington, reversing the Caulfield Cup form with Mer De Glace to hand trainer, Danny O’Brien a first victory in that historic handicap.

For a while, it seemed like the 2020 renewal of the Caulfield Cup would not go ahead. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to sporting schedules all over the world, and many thought next month’s carnival at Caulfield would have to be scrapped.

Yet, after events like Royal Ascot and the Kentucky Derby went ahead behind closed doors so successfully, the Australian government gave Caulfield the greenlight to stage this lucrative race in-front of empty stands. The prize pot may be a little depleted this term, but it remains one of the most sought-after prizes in horse racing, and the 2020 Caulfield Cup has attracted a strong list of entries.

Vow And Declare could return to Caulfield before heading back to the Melbourne Cup, but he sits a long way from the top of the Caufield Cup betting tips, having endured a difficult campaign thus far. At the head of the current market we find Sky High Stakes winner Master Of Wine, and Danny O’Brien’s Orderofthegarter, who won the Foundation Cup at Caulfield on his return to action after 735-days off the track.

Covid restrictions haven’t prevented Irish Champion Trainer, Aidan O’Brien entering some of his best middle-distance horses in the 2020 Caulfield Cup. Former Epsom Derby winner, Anthony Van Dyck has been handed top-weight, but he’s steadily been closing in on the market leaders since O’Brien confirmed he was Melbourne bound.

Joseph O’Brien, Aidan’s son and the youngest trainer to ever win the Melbourne Cup, has Buckhurst and Master Of Reality entered up at Caulfield. Andrew Balding’s Dashing Willoughby could take in the Caulfield Cup before going on to Flemington. As could Le Don De Vie and Nickajack Cave, who’ve both moved from Europe to Australian stables, with a view to running in the Melbourne Cup next month.

Should You Consider a Bulk CBD Oil Supplier?

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At this stage, it seems as if the majority of people know what CBD oil is. They are aware that it comes from hemp or cannabis and is non-intoxicating. They have also heard that it has a myriad of potential benefits. These include helping improve the sleep cycle, alleviating anxiety, and providing relief from pain.

None of the above are clinically proven, yet the anecdotal evidence continues to mount. As a result, the CBD market has swollen and is now worth billions per annum. For many prospective users, however, the cost of cannabidiol is extortionate. It is potentially too costly for individuals in need of large amounts. A prime example is someone using CBD in the hope that it reduces epilepsy-related seizures.

Fortunately, a growing number of suppliers understand this issue and are now selling bulk CBD. While some companies require you to sign up as a wholesale purchaser, others, like Premium Jane, allow you to buy bulk CBD oil on their website. In this article, we outline the benefits of buying bulk CBD. But first, let’s quickly determine why CBD oil is so expensive.

CBD Oil – What Am I Paying for?

Depending on the brand, you will likely pay anywhere from $50 to $150 for 1000mg of CBD. If you want to use it as a ‘supplement,’ it is perhaps on the expensive side. For those who use it instead of opioids and other prescription drugs, however, it is probably relatively cheap. Individuals who use up to 100mg per day, on the other hand, know they have to pay thousands of dollars annually.

In the early years of the market, the demand for high-quality CBD greatly exceeded the supply. Bulk CBD oil was practically unheard of. The 2018 Farm Bill has changed everything in that regard. It didn’t make CBD legal, but it did remove hemp from the list of controlled substances. Now, farmers across the United States are cultivating it en-masse. The vast majority of them do so for the CBD market.

Therefore, the price of CBD oil is already falling. However, it remains higher than some customers would like. One reason is the cost of breeding CBD-rich cannabis strains, such as Charlotte’s Web. You’ll find that cannabidiol from marijuana tends to cost more than CBD derived from hemp. Also, CBD from marijuana is only legal in specific locations.

The manufacturing process is also an expensive one. Companies use sophisticated equipment to extract cannabinoids from plant material. Supercritical CO2 extraction is the gold standard in the industry. One of these machines can cost well over $100,000. Further purification in the form of winterization is also required.

Reputable brands do all of the above, and also pay for third-party lab reports. It is a great way for customers to know what is inside every bottle of CBD oil. You can take a chance on cheaper CBD, but if it doesn’t have third-party lab reports, you have no idea what is inside.

Here’s Why You Should Buy Bulk CBD Oil

It makes sense to purchase bulk CBD if you use at least 50mg of the cannabinoid a day. In a year, you will use around 18,250mg of CBD at the above consumption rate. As long as you store your CBD correctly, it should last for at least 12 months. You only need to go through the purchasing process every few months, depending on how much you buy.

The amount you save when buying bulk CBD oil depends on the seller. With Premium Jane, for example, you can expect to save $17.67 per 1,000mg of CBD. Its 1,000mg CBD oil range usually costs $124. However, a three-pack costs just $319. This works out at $106.33 per bottle.

The brand also sells CBD gummies. One container includes 30 x 25mg gummies for a total CBD content of 750mg. A single bottle costs $55. However, you can purchase a three-pack for $140, which works out at $46.66 per bottle. Premium Jane offers the following in bulk:

  • 300mg and 1000mg CBD tinctures.
  • 30 x 25mg and 30 x 40mg capsules.
  • 30 x 25mg gummies.
  • 750mg topical salve.

All of the above are available in a three-pack form.

Depending on the seller, you could benefit from wholesale prices. However, in this instance, companies often require you to purchase a minimum amount, usually in the four-figure range. As a result, you must commit at least $1,000. With brands like Premium Jane, you can dip your toe into bulk CBD waters with a relatively small purchase. Once you are satisfied that you need a large quantity, you can increase your order.

Please be wary of any bulk CBD oil seller offering ‘too good to be true’ prices. Such products are often low-grade and could damage your health.

Top Five Ideas How to Spend Time in Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

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Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is 380 acres of natural magic open to the public throughout the year. It features tropical plants as well as orchids and the widest expanse of immaculately tendered plants. It also has visitor’s pavilion and nature trails to add to the fun and excitement of being within the expansive garden. You can buy coursework online to allow you spend more time at this relaxing garden. 

The garden gives a lifetime experience whenever you visit. If you plan your time and activities well, you have a memorable tour. Here are ideas on what to do while you visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Barden. 

  • Reading

The serene environment around the garden offers a perfect setting for you to read your favorite book or material. There are lawns where you can sit or pavilions that allow you to enjoy the much-valued quiet time with your books. No one will interfere with your reading since the expansive area gives room for everyone. 

Whether you are revising for your exam or reading for leisure, this is the best spot. The surrounding is scenic such that the mind will naturally get calm to absorb whatever you are reading. The fresh air from the surrounding makes the experience even more memorable. 

  • Chatting With Friends

Do you have a friend you have not seen in years and are looking for the perfect spot to catch-up? The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is the perfect selection. It offers numerous spots to sit with friends and chat over confidential issues or just enjoy time together without bothering other people around.

If sitting while you chat is not your idea of moments with friends, you should consider walking along the numerous nature trails. Whether it is by the lake or in the forest, the options are endless. You have the company of birds singing allover and the cool breeze coming from the lake. You also enjoy the scenic spots throughout the garden as interludes for your conversations. The garden offers a perfect spot to bond and create beautiful memories for friends or family members. 

  • Writing

Are you looking for a spot to write your iconic book, script, poem, or just an article? Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is the best spot to get the inspiration. The management has provided numerous benches and tables where you can place your writing tools. 

The area is quiet and serene to ignite your imagination. It is also free of distractions, helping you to remain focused on the main story. You can also work for endless hours until you are sure that your work meets the desired high standards. The garden helps you to meet the high standards expected in writing by giving you an ideal environment to do your writing. 

  • Yoga 

Do you want to relax the body and mind? Take your yoga sessions to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The garden has open spaces where you can sit alone or with friends for a yoga session. The surrounding trees, flowerbeds, and shrubs provide an ideal background for a rewarding yoga session. By the time you leave the place, you will be feeling energized and at ease. 

  • Nature Walk 

Whether to relax or stretch your muscles, a nature walk around Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will be a rewarding experience. You will be strolling around the most beautiful greenery, lake, and flower beds that bloom all year round. There are deliberately designed nature trails to guarantee an enjoyable experience. Whether you are walking alone or with a friend, this will be a rewarding experience. 

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is open to the public and a hub for endless activities. Welcoming visitors throughout the years, the garden is a rewarding spot all seasons. There is something for every visitor, whether you are alone or in the company of friends. 

How Does CBD Topical Cream Work?

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CBD topicals are a trendy way of incorporating CBD into your daily routine, allowing you to soak up any useful potential health benefits that it has to offer. There is a range of topical options available, including everything from CBD-infused face creams to bath bombs packed with CBD. 

There is an almost ever-increasing number of people opting for CBD infused topicals over regular cosmetics and topicals. Despite this, most people still know very little about how CBD works and the potential benefits of using it.

CBD topicals work in a different way from other CBD products that you ingest and, as a result, can cause different effects. In order to get only the very best from the CBD products that you purchase, it is essential to understand how they work. Having a fundamental understanding of the basic differences between CBD topicals and CBD oils, for example, will allow you to ensure you are using the right option to suit your individual needs.

So, what exactly are CBD topicals creams, and how do they work?

What Are CBD Topicals and Creams?

CBD topicals refer to any CBD product applied to the skin rather than being ingested, whether through edibles, vaping, or oil drops. As CBD becomes increasingly popular, brands are continuously creating new and innovative ways for people to work CBD topicals into their everyday schedules.

The term CBD cream covers many different products. Most people picture a very traditional, general-purpose body cream when they hear the term ‘CBD cream,’ but CBD creams include a wide range of products.

Some brands not only offer customers general-purpose CBD creams, but also cosmetic creams, including CBD-infused eye cream and even CBD sunscreen. PureKana is another popular brand that has expanded its CBD cream range to include products such as menthol infused creams and lavender enhanced body balms. 

How to Use CBD Topical Creams

CBD topicals are perhaps one of the most accessible CBD products, making them a great option for those who are completely new to CBD supplements and who worry about inconsistent dosages or consuming too much CBD.

Just like other creams, balms, and ointments, CBD-infused creams are applied to the body in a thin layer and rubbed in just like you would with any other cream.

CBD creams such as eye and face creams are designed to be used in place of regular facial creams meaning that they are super easy to work into your daily skincare routine. Other CBD-infused balms, including general-purpose body moisturizers, can also be used in place of the standard body butter and creams that you use, providing your body with both the hydration that it needs and a healthy burst of CBD.

How Do CBD Topical Creams Work?

One of the reasons that CBD creams – and CBD topicals, in general – are such a popular option for treating things such as muscle and joint pain is because they can start working almost instantly.

CBD creams are absorbed through the surface layers of the skin, just like regular creams and balms. It is at this point that the effects of CBD can be felt. Unlike other forms of CBD, topicals can only affect the areas of the body that they are applied to.

In the case of ingestible CBD products – edibles, oil, capsules, and vapes – the CBD is processed and moves around the entire body through the bloodstream. However, the CBD contained within topicals does not enter the bloodstream and therefore leaves the rest of your body unaffected.

When Are CBD Topical Creams the Best Option?

CBD topical creams are not the best option for every situation, and so it is essential to think about what it is that you are hoping to gain by adding CBD into your daily routine. You need to be able to work out which products are right for you.

If you are looking for a general wellness supplement, then products such as CBD oil drops may be a better option as their effects can be felt across your entire body. For treating surface levels pains as well as muscle and joint problems, CBD topical creams may be a much better option.

CBD topical creams can also be a great way to care for your skin, helping to keep it hydrated while also packing it with a healthy CBD dose.

CBD topical creams only affect the area of the body that they are applied to, which can be a massive bonus for you, depending on your reason for choosing them. Equally, CBD topical creams allow for fast-acting effects, which can make them a much better option for treating pain.

North Carolina Moving To Phase 3 – Stadiums, Theaters, and Bars Can Soon Reopen

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Governor Cooper has just announced plans to officially move the state from Phase 2.5 to Phase 3 this coming Friday as COVID-19 numbers continue to decline across North Carolina.

The new phase will mean that outdoor venues will be allowed to restart live events, and movie theaters, bars, and amusement parks will finally be allowed to reopen.

During today’s announcement Governor Cooper also talked about the possibility of allowing school students to go back to full in-person learning if numbers continue to decline.

“Our top priority remains getting children back to in-person learning. This month marks a major shift for many families now and in the coming months as schools open their doors, some for the first time since the pandemic,” said Governor Cooper. “The virus continues to spread, so we must take the next steps methodically, and responsibly.”

You can watch Governor Cooper’s entire press briefing here:

The new Phase 3 provisions include the following:

  • Large outdoor venues with seating greater than 10,000 may operate with 7% occupancy for spectators.
  • Smaller outdoor entertainment venues, like arenas or amphitheaters, may operate outdoors at 30% of outdoor capacity, or 100 guests, whichever is less.
  • Movie theaters and conference centers may open indoor spaces to 30% of capacity, or 100 guests, whichever is less.
  • Bars may operate outdoors at 30% of outdoor capacity, or 100 guests, whichever is less.
  • Amusement parks may open at 30% occupancy, outdoor attractions only.
  • The limits on mass gatherings will remain at 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
  • The 11 pm curfew on alcohol sales for in-person consumption in locations such as restaurants and outdoor bars will be extended to October 23.

What do you think about our state moving to Phase 3?

NC’s Fort Bragg Building The Largest Floating Solar Power Plant in Southeast

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The U.S. Army’s Fort Bragg in North Carolina will soon be home to the largest floating solar plant in the Southeast – a 1.1-megawatt (MW) system as part of a Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) awarded to Duke Energy.

The $36 million contract will focus on energy resilience and security at Fort Bragg: infrastructure modernization including lighting and water upgrades, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning and boiler system improvements.

“As a leader in solar energy, we’re excited to bring this unique project to Fort Bragg,” said Melisa Johns, vice president, Distributed Energy Solutions at Duke Energy. “This project takes a comprehensive look at the way energy is being used at Fort Bragg and will lead to more efficient energy use and significant cost savings.”

Ameresco, Duke Energy’s prime contractor, will build the 1.1-MW floating solar PV system on the Big Muddy Lake located at Camp Mackall. Fort Bragg will own and operate the system once construction is completed. Construction is expected to begin in November.

“We approached Duke Energy with the idea of a floating solar array unsure of how they would respond to the innovative concept,” said Audrey Oxendine, Fort Bragg Energy and Utilities Branch Chief. “However, Duke Energy was excited to take on the challenge and work with us to make an idea into reality.”

The floating solar installation will be paired with a 2-MW battery energy storage system. The system will supplement power to Fort Bragg from the local grid and provide backup power during electric service outages.

Floating solar power could have a big future. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers estimate that installing floating solar photovoltaics on the more than 24,000 man-made U.S. reservoirs could generate about 10 percent of the nation’s annual electricity production. Currently, floating solar makes up only about 1-2 percent of the world’s solar capacity.

About 90 percent of the floating solar capacity in the world is in Asia. However, the technology can take advantage of water space that would otherwise go unused – like at Fort Bragg. (View and download video of a floating solar facility).

North Carolina and Duke Energy are leaders in solar energy. The state is second in the nation for overall solar power capacity. Duke Energy owns and operates 40 solar facilities in North Carolina – one of which is a 13-MW facility at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Onslow County.

The project is part of Duke Energy’s federal business, which develops and delivers solutions that strengthen infrastructure reliability, operational resilience and energy cost performance. Duke Energy recognizes that federal and military energy infrastructure needs are diverse and uniquely complex.

Hardees Will Be Giving Away Free Sausage Biscuits At All Charlotte Locations on Wednesday

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Food lovers rejoice!

Hardees has just announced that they will be giving away free sausage biscuits all day tomorrow (September 30th) in honor of their 60th anniversary.

All you have to do to get yours is say “made from scratch” to the cashier in the drive-thru lane and your sandwich is free!

Please spread the word!