Stand-Up Comedian Joey Thompson Makes Parody “Tour Video” of Charlotte

0

South Carolina stand-up comedian Joey Thompson just did one of his viral ‘Gettin’ Rowdy’ tour videos right here in the Queen City.

In the video, he pokes fun at many of our most iconic and cliche things, including the Panthers, Hornets, NASCAR, Bojangles, Cam Newton, Wells Fargo (Wachovia), Duke Energy, and more.

He posted the video on Facebook just last week and it’s already been viewed over 15,000 times;

Thompson’s “Gettin’ Rowdy” tour videos have taken him all across the country, from Myrtle Beach to Beverly Hills and everywhere in between. His biggest video to date was of his hometown of Greer, SC, which has already racked up over 1.9 million views on Facebook.

Do you think he accurately described the Queen City? 

UNC Charlotte’s 2020 Economic Forecast: Growth Continues

0

The economy of the United States and North Carolina has expanded for 10 consecutive years, the longest economic expansion since 1854.

Dr. John Connaughton, Barings professor of financial economics in UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business, says the growth will continue in 2020.

“Despite the projected slowing of both the U.S. and North Carolina economies in 2020, the prospect of a recession is still slight,” Connaughton said. “Consumer confidence still remains high, despite the politics in Washington.”

Connaughton forecasts 14 of the state’s 15 economic sectors will experience output increases in 2020. Sectors with the strongest growth include:

  • Agriculture: 8.9%
  • Information: 4.1%
  • Durable goods: 2.9%
  • Business and professional services: 2.4%

Connaughton presented his quarterly forecast to members of the Charlotte business community and the media at a luncheon held at UNC Charlotte Center City. The event is sponsored by Barings.

He said for 2019, the state is expected to add 107,700 net jobs. The two strongest sectors are TWU (6.6%) and hospitality and leisure services (5.1%).

“With the national unemployment rate consistently below 4.0%, more job openings than job seekers, and lower gasoline prices than last year at this time, consumers have the discretionary income to continue to spend,” he said. “In addition, the Fed has lowered interest rates by 75 basis points since July, making business investment and consumer big-ticket items less costly.”

For 2020, Gross State Product (GSP) is expected to reach $611.2 billion, up from $587 billion in 2019. Real inflation is expected to increase by 2% over 2019.

The full report is available at belkcollege.uncc.edu/forecast.

Cam Newton Nominated For 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award

0

Panthers QB Cam Newton, who is currently on Injured Reserve, has just been nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of The Year Award. The award is given out each year to 1 of 32 nominees from the NFL (1 nominee from each team) who has shown exceptional character and work both on and off the football field.

The Panthers posted a collage of Cam photos in making the announcement, along with the caption, “QB1 is our 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee!”

“Every day, in cities and towns across America, NFL players give of themselves to make our communities better,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a press release. “The 32 nominees for this year’s award are the best of the best and truly embody the spirit of Walter and his legacy of leaving the world better than he found it.”

The winner of the award will be announced and presented with a trophy on the eve of the Super Bowl.

Do you think Cam should win the award?

Top 10 Best Donut Shops in Charlotte

0

This was one of the hardest articles I’ve ever written – mainly due to the fact that every donut I tried was my new favorite. How could anyone not love every hand-made fancy donut?

I did force myself, for the sake of my readers, to get super critical and figure out which donut shop (and restaurants that make fancy donuts) was truly the best.

Without further adieu, here are the top 10 donut shops in the greater Charlotte region;

#10 Suarez Bakery (Park Rd. Shopping Center)

The Suárez family history is really what makes this specialty bakery one of the best in the city. For over 23 years, the bakery has been a true family-run staple in the ever changing Park Road Shopping Center. It’s served patrons cakes, cupcakes, and other scratch made goods. Anything with their signature chocolate ganache is a must try, as well as the cinnamon twist and the old-fashioned cake options. You have to try their maple bacon bar!

Here’s to weekends as amazing as our Texas Doughnuts are big. Thanks for the photo, @kaymhoff!

A photo posted by Suárez Bakery (@suarezbakery) on

#9 Foxcroft Wine Co. (Dilworth)

Foxcroft Wine Co. is an upscale wine bar in two locations, although the Dilworth one is the original. Their doughnuts have a true cult following in our city. They’re served piping hot with dipping sauces such as chocolate ganache and marshmallow fluff cream.

Wine, donuts, chocolate, and fluff…what more could you want?

A photo posted by La Donna (@elleb_12) on


#8 Faith Coffee and Sweets (Harrisburg, NC)

This might be our most unknown bakery on the list, but it also might be the best – if you’re into authentic, homemade, southern donuts.

If you’re a “coffee snob”, you have to try their salted caramel mocha.

faith donuts

#7 Your Mom’s Donuts (Matthews)

This farm-to-table concept recently opened their first retail location. The shop sources as many ingredients (dairy, eggs, fruit, flour) from the local farming community as possible. Donut flavors change weekly and seasonally. Be sure to check the online menu and beware the dreaded “SOLD OUT” listed next to a flavor. The Cinnamon Sugar with Cream Cheese Frosting is by far one of the most popular, if it’s not available or if you want more than one, get the apple donut.

#6 Duck Donuts (Dilworth)

Duck Donuts is a gourmet donut shop that was originally founded in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

All of their donuts are made to order and are always served warm and fresh. Pull up a stool and watch your donuts made right there in front of your eyes. The maple bacon is certainly one of their most unusual, and one of their most popular – a great balance of sweet and savory, and you can never go wrong with either the shredded coconut or the rainbow sprinkles as topping choices.


#5 Sugar (Ballantyne)

These are some of the cities best truly ‘handmade’ gourmet donuts began as the first donut food truck with truly unique ingredients such as French chocolates, fresh fruits, and exotic herbs. Some of their most recent savory donut inventions include pepper jack cheese potato and bacon “hash” filled donut and an “Egg in a Basket” (a popover with organic black forest ham, cheddar cheese, scallions, and a hard boiled egg baked into the center).

#4 Reigning Doughnuts (NoDa)

Reigning Doughnuts makes amazing donuts for events and bars all over the city and in their retail shop in NoDa.

The Maple Bacon donut will make you want to elbow people out of your way. The Peanut Butter S’mores donut will inspire you to sit alone in a quiet corner as you enjoy the rich treat in blissful silence.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Beat the Mondays. And we mean CRUSH the Monday’s. 💥 It’s our Maple bacon day!! 🥓 #letsdothis #bacon #doughnuts #donuts

A post shared by Reigning Doughnuts (@reigningdoughnuts) on

#3 Carolina Donuts

Variety similar to a Krispy Kreme, but with ten times more love added to the ingredients. Go early and get them fresh.

carolina-donuts

#2 MJ Donuts (Pineville)

MJ Donuts is a true no-frills classic donut shop in the heart of Pineville Here the focus is on creating homemade favorites like the double chocolate cake, the buttermilk with sprinkles, and their insane apple fritter. Don’t forget the donut holes – You can get a dozen free when you order a dozen donuts.

#1 Krispy Kreme (Everywhere)

Krispy Kreme is one of the most North Carolinian eateries in the state, and it’s been engrained in the Charlotte region for over 75 years. It would be a disgrace to the word donut if we didn’t rank them as #1

The “Hot Now” sign lights up, and Charlotteans everywhere lose their minds.


What’s your favorite donut shop in Charlotte?

 

Amazon Fresh Expands to Charlotte With 1-Hour Grocery Delivery

0

Amazon Fresh announced it’s expanding grocery delivery to four new cities – Charlotte, Cincinnati, Richmond and Virginia Beach. Prime members can now shop a selection of tens of thousands of Amazon items, including an assortment of quality produce and groceries – plus Amazon devices, electronics, health and personal care, home & kitchen, toys and more, and receive one- and two-hour delivery.

The new Amazon Fresh delivery service is now included with all Prime memberships in these 4 cities. Two-hour delivery is free for orders $35 or more and one-hour delivery is $4.99.

Prime members can now do all their grocery shopping right on their Alexa device, you can simply add items to your cart by saying, “Alexa, add bananas to my Amazon Fresh cart” and checkout when it’s convenient.

Uptown Charlotte’s Hearst Tower To Be Sold For $455 Million and Renamed ‘Truist Center’

0
photo by Scott Jensen

Just one month after the merger between BB&T and SunTrust was approved, the new bank, named Truist, announced plans to purchase and rename one of Charlotte’s most iconic buildings.

This morning Cousins Properties, the current owners of the Hearst Tower, sent out a press release saying that Truist Financial Corporation will be exercising their option to purchase the Hearst Tower from them for $455.5 million.

The 46-floor-high rise in the heart of Uptown Charlotte will be renamed as the ‘Truist Center’ and will serve as the new headquarters for the merged Winston-Salem and Atlanta based banks.

“Truist’s decision to consolidate its operations in Charlotte and to acquire this signature office tower is the latest in a long list of major corporate relocations to Cousins’ Sun Belt markets and highlights the quality of our portfolio,” said Colin Connolly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cousins Properties. “We are excited about recent momentum and look forward to future growth opportunities in Charlotte.”

What do you think about the new name for the Hearst Tower? 

What is Roofing Flashing?

0

Understanding what is flashing in roofing systems

To get into roof flashing definition, take a look at your roof. It doesn’t matter what this part of your home is made of: clay tiles, shingles, wood shakes, metal panels, coal tar pitch, or others. Considering the roofing system, it is just a part of it, but not the main weather barrier that protects your house from water leaking. The inconspicuous hero here is roof flashing. To keep your shingles, some areas of the roof that may be more delicate to damage, and wall constructions from water penetration, you need flashing — a waterproof material that prevents moisture seeping in. So, the process of roof flashing is a way for improving your house and insure yourself from unpleasant consequences, for example, mold. The concept of its work is simple. It collects unnecessary water and directs it away.

Now you know what is flashing in roofing system, but which material is better to choose for this element? There are four common materials:

  • aluminum;
  • galvanized steel;
  • lead;
  • copper.

For house owners who wish to install this part of the roof on their own, the best option will be aluminum. It is the least expensive and durable. However, be careful with aluminum, as flashing pieces can be applied using concrete or cement, so aluminum requires adding a finish to avoid corrosion. Also, galvanized steel will be the most optimal and reliable option. Long exposure to water and moisture is not a challenge to this type of flashing material.

Importance of proper roof flashing installation

Competent installation of the deck to roof or roof to wall flashing details is crucial for proper protection from water. Remember, flashing details is a technical side of the roof construction, so to prevent a poor performing of flashing, it is recommended to use the help of experts. Without their skills and knowledge, it will be impossible to ensure yourself with perfect results. For example, there are different techniques for different areas of the roof:

  • base flashing is a metal barrier installed in the area where the roof and vertical surface are joining;
  • step flashing is for cases when the sloping roof deck meet the vertical wall;
  • head flashing is for protection of windows, doors, and other openings;
  • counter-flashing is a 2-piece system for flashing chimneys;
  • plumbing vent flashing is usually a cylindrical piece installed over pipes or flues.

To study the roof flashing definition and delve into the instructions, its types, and concept of work will not be enough for DIY installation. It is vital to comply with safety requirements, understand best practices, learn all nuances before the process starts. And only a professional can do it. If you need to protect some vulnerable areas of your home, consider hiring a company with a team that will take care of your house. If you don’t want the flashing details to be damage because of the poor work or errors during installation, choose an experienced specialist who will ensure the right work of every piece of flashing, no matter where it is located around your house.

If you need a competent roofing contractor, UBrothersConstruction is ready to help every house owner who wishes to upgrade their exterior. Professionals will engineer a full roof system, providing installation services. Choosing this company, you choose qualified work, better prices, and sturdy materials. In addition to functionality and durability, UBrothersConstruction also will add aesthetic value to your house.

Charlotte Douglas Just Broke Ground On Their New $600 Million Terminal

0
via Charlotte Douglas Airport

Today the Charlotte Douglas International Airport broke ground their largest project in the airport’s history – a $600 million, 366,000 square foot expansion of their terminal lobby.

The massive new project will take approximately 5-6 years to complete and will be constructed in 6 progressive phases, according to a press release.

The City of Charlotte Government Facebook page posted the following video showing the transformation through all 6 phases;

The new terminal will include high-tech ticket counters, 8 massive art pieces, 5 additional concession spaces, more seating and charging stations, and a consolidation of the current 5 security checkpoints into 3 larger checkpoints with automated screening lanes.

The new terminal project is part of the much larger $2.5 billion+ ‘Destination CLT’ investment plan for the expansion of the airport that fist started back in 2015.

“The Airport has been preparing for years to begin construction of the Terminal Lobby Expansion,” said Aviation Director/CEO Brent Cagle. “We began in 2013 with the removal of the original Hourly Decks to build the new roadway and make room for the expansion. Now that we’ve broken ground, we’re excited to start a project that will go above and beyond modernizing the terminal.”

Charlotte Douglas has certainly come a long way from the small town airport it once was just a few decades ago (here’s what the Charlotte Douglas Airport looked like in the 70s).

What do you think about the new project?

Rover Releases Most Popular Charlotte Pet Names and Trends of 2019

0
As folks begin to reflect on 2019, Rover.com, the world’s largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers, has just released its 7th annual report of the year’s most popular dog and cat names.
The data shows that regardless of species or breed, pet names are a true reflection of what we care about most, from the food we eat to the celebrities we love.  Names inspired by star-studded musicians, like newcomer Lizzo (up 100%) and beloved Beyoncé (up 78%) made huge gains, and Taylor Swift’s reputation is on track with a 400% increase.  Binge-worthy TV shows were also one of the top sources of inspiration for pet parents. The name Maisel, of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, rose 1000% and Westeros-savior Arya Stark increased by 150%.
The humanization of pets was another trend for 2019. The majority of pet parents (55%) said their pet either has a human name or they would consider giving their pet a human name. Pet parents (25%) also would consider giving their pet a name they had considered for their child. Trending baby names that inspired pet names included Dorothy, Elaine, and Dennis.
Here are some Charlotte-specific highlights:
  • Top 5 Male Dog Names in Charlotte

    • Max

    • Charlie

    • Cooper

    • Tucker

    • Buddy

  • Top 5 Female Dog Names

    • Bella

    • Luna

    • Lucy

    • Daisy

    • Sadie

  • Kaylee is the #1 Trending Dog Name in Charlotte, NC

  • Top 5 Cat Names Male

    • Oliver

    • Jack

    • Simba

    • Charlie

    • Leo

  • Top 5 Dog Names Female

    • Luna

    • Bella

    • Lucy

    • Sophie

    • Kitty

  • Simba is the #1 Trending Cat Name in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte Will Witness The ‘Cold Moon’ Peak At 12:12 on 12/12 – This Decade’s Final Full Moon

0
photo by Scott Jensen

Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed some incredible lunar occurrences, from blood moons, to super moons, to this past September’s ‘Friday The 13th Micro Harvest Moon‘, but this weekend, we might see the most unique lunar occurrence yet.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, we are about to witness a ‘Full Cold Moon’ reach the perfection of its peak on Dec. 12 (12/12) at 12:12 a.m. eastern time.

The number 12 is one of the most frequently used numbers in the Christian bible, with most scholars agreeing that the number means ‘completeness’ or ‘perfection’.

According to Forbes, the number 12 itself is a “so-called sublime number, meaning it has a perfect number of divisors, the sum of which is also a perfect number”.

This month’s 12/12 12:12 full moon is called the ‘cold moon’ due to its occurrence around the time when cold weather usually sets in.

According to astronomer Keith Cooley, December’s moon has been called other names in other places and times. The North Carolina’s Eastern Cherokee tribe calls this weekend’s moon ‘nvda gutiha’, which is translated as ‘Snow Moon’, and the Colonial Americans called it the ‘Christmas Moon’.

Do you think these rare heavenly occurrences mean anything?