President Trump Will Pardon 2 Turkeys From NC As Part of 72nd Annual Thanksgiving Presentation

President Trump is about to officially pardon 2 North Carolina turkeys during the 72nd annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation next Tuesday afternoon at the White House.

The White House posted several pictures of the turkeys on their Facebook page with the caption:

“The Presidential Turkeys have arrived in DC! The two birds are settled in at The Willard Hotel after their trek from North Carolina and are resting up for the big ceremony on Tuesday.

Tune in tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET to learn the turkey’s names and to vote on which bird should be pardoned and named the official National Thanksgiving Turkey!”

The 2 male turkeys, ‘Bread’ and ‘Butter’, come from right here in the Tar Heel state by Butterball contractor Wellie Jackson on his farm in Clinton, NC (just east of Fayetteville).

He accompanied the two turkeys all the way up to Washington DC;

Charlotte Planning $11 Million Pedestrian Bridge Over 277 To Connect Uptown With South End

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The City of Charlotte has just unveiled new designs for a massive new pedestrian bridge over I 277 that would connect Uptown Charlotte with South End along the Blue Line Rail Trail.

via CharlotteNC.gov

City leaders are currently proposing 2 different designs, one featuring a ‘single-span’ with taller arches and a narrower walkway and another featuring a ‘double-span’ with shorter arches and a wider walkway.

According to the city, the $11 million in funding will come from the following sources:

  • $3.1 million from  the City of Charlotte
  • $3.3 million from the North Carolina Department of Transportation
  • $3.1 million from Mecklenburg County
  • $1.5 million from the private sector

If the city can finalize the design by next year, then construction will likely start in early 2023.

Residents can now vote on their favorite design and submit their feedback on the City of Charlotte’s website here.

What do you think about the new project? 

NC Nail Salon Coming Under Fire For Processing A Deer In Front of Customers

A North Carolina nail salon is now coming under fire after a customer posted a picture to Facebook of one of the nail technicians processing a deer on the floor of the salon.

According to Greensboro’s WFMY, the photo was posted by High Point University Student Morgan Taylor as she was getting her nails done.

“I asked them what it was, because just seeing them unload flesh and bones was a little bit shocking,” Taylor said. “They said it was deer meat and they were splitting it up between the workers to take home.”

Taylor posted the picture on Facebook and captioned it, “Hunting for a new nail salon in High Point, North Carolina? Talk about multitaskers… manicures, pedicures, and amateur deer butchers. Oh deer!”

While most people were horrified by the discovery, others had some fun on the company’s review section;

The nail salon under fire is located at 2108 N Centennial St in High Point, NC;

Top 10 Best ‘Wing Nights’ in Charlotte (Best Weekly Chicken Wing Specials)

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Being from Upstate NY, there’s one food staple that I hold above most others – chicken wings.

Throughout high school, one of my favorite weekly memories was meeting up with a few dozen friends in the basement of a local bar for 25 cent wings. I think my record was 4 dozen in one sitting.

After moving to Charlotte about 10 years ago, that tradition quickly faded. I’ve come to learn that southerners just don’t have the same passion for high-quantities of fried chicken morsels dripping with sugar and spices.

While I still haven’t found any 25 cent wings down here, I was able to find these 10 wing specials (with help from the Charlotte Reddit), ranked by value and quality;

#10 East Coast Wings & Grill

Monday (all day) – 75 cent wings (Northlake)

Wings for two last night…. 25 may have been a bit much. #eyesbiggerthanmystomach Haha!

A post shared by DaisyJay (@daisyxjay) on

#9 Buffalo Wild Wings

Half-priced Wings on Tuesday – 18 for $10 (regularly $19.99)

Might be a mistake but oh well. #wings365 @bwwings #heartburn

A post shared by Adam Britt (@adamqbritt) on

#8 Wild Wing Cafe

All-you-can-eat wing bar Mon-Fri 11:30-1:30pm – $10.99 (only Uptown and Arsley locations)

Tuesday night – BOGO wings (regular prices – 6 for $7.59/12 for $12.99/18 for $17.99)

😻😻😻😻😻 #wings #food #wings

A post shared by Brandon Simmons (@buzzsimmons) on

#7 Buffalo Wings and Rings

Monday night BOGO –  (regularly 5 for 6.79 / 10 for 11.79 / 15 for 16.49) (Balantyne)

Tuesday night – 79 cent wings (Morrisville)

Fishmongering some chicken wings from our awesome neighbor, @wingsandrings 🍗

A post shared by Carolina Fish & Foodie Market (@thecarolinafishmarket) on

#6 Hickory Tavern

Wednesday night – 75 cent wings (Metropolitan)

Getting ready to enjoy an afternoon of college basketball. #ncaa🏀 #cltfood #ncaachampionship #hotwings #wings

A post shared by The Charlotte John (@thecltjohn) on

#5 Carmella’s

Wednesday night (after 5pm) – 50 cent wings

Awesome wings and pizza from the best place on earth!!

A post shared by Radiomaney (@radiomaney) on

#4 Towne Tavern 

Monday night – BOGO Wings 50 cents each (regularly 12 for $11.99)

Waaaaaaaaaangs

A post shared by Rodriquez Antonio (@rodriquezantonio) on

#3 Macado’s

Monday night – 10 Wings for $4.44

Thursday night (4pm – 9pm) – 39 Cent Boneless Wings

A nice break from the diet. #macados

A post shared by Jenny Vang (@__jcv_) on

#2 Lebowski’s

Wednesday night – 6 for $5.00 – 10 for $7.00

Regular price – 6 for $7.49 – 10 for $10.79

It’s almost tailgatin’ time! Call now to place your to-go order! #lebowskisgivesyouwings #bestwingsinthecity

A post shared by Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill (@lebowskisgrill) on

#1 Jack Beagles

Wednesday night – 12 for $6.50

Wings with chili mac. #NoDa #jackbeagles #clt #nc #macandcheese #wings #football #sunday #charlotte

A post shared by Eleazar Herrera (@eleazarherrera1) on

If you’re really feeling adventurous, you could also buy a several dozen wings online and fry and coat them with your own recipe for quite wing night at home.

What’s your favorite place for wing night in Charlotte?

Tricks That Will Make Your Studies Easier

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Do you find it hard to focus while you’re studying? Don’t worry. It’s normal to feel that way sometimes. It doesn’t matter whether you’re currently in university, college, or school. The burden of studies can weigh down on anyone.

But did you know that there are many ways in which you can make your studies easier? Common tricks include the use of online study tools like reliable research websites, online grammar revision, writing websites, planner apps, and more. You can use these to decrease the amount of time you spend slaving away on assignments. 

Remember to study smart, not hard. To help you “study smart,” we have compiled a useful list of tricks and online tools that will boost your learning experience.

  1. Work On Your Grammar

In university, you have to write a lot of essays for many different courses. Writing the essay is time-consuming, but editing can take up a large chunk of time too. An excellent way to reduce the time you spend revising old grammar rules and editing your essay is by using the online tool, Grammarly. 

This tool will detect any mistakes in your writing and tell you how to fix them for free. So now, you can complete your essay on time without worrying about how long it will take you to edit. Let this fantastic online study tool do the work for you! This tool will detect any mistakes in your writing and tell you how to fix them for free. So now, you can complete your essay on time without worrying about how long it will take you to edit. Let this fantastic online study tool do the work for you!

Grammarly offers a premium version, too. Premium is pay-to-play but guarantees that your essay will be one of the best in the class thanks to its flawless grammar correction skills. It’s worth investing in, especially if you’re writing as a college or university student. 

  1. Format Carefully

If you know how to format your paper correctly, you can get a much higher grade. In some subjects, like history and psychology, your answers need to be written in a specific format. Practice this format vigorously till you get the hang of it. Once you’re used to it, doing revision question-answers will be much easier and faster.

Another thing you should learn to format is notes. By making clearly labeled and organized notes, your revision process speeds up. Be as neat as possible when taking down notes and write them in a helpful format. Some great note-writing formats are the Cornell, boxing, and mind-map methods.

  1. Pomodoro 

The Pomodoro method works by allotting distinct periods of time for focused work and study breaks. This cycle of consecutive study sessions and breaks then repeats itself until your task is complete. Use it for things like homework, exam prep, or anything that requires you to sit down and focus on your studies.

 

Typically, each session of focused work lasts 25 minutes. Its accompanying break lasts up to 5 minutes. Many excellent Pomodoro apps can be downloaded onto your phone for free. Alternatively, you could time yourself independently using a clock, timer, or digital stopwatch.

  1. Find Your Study Sanctuary

Studying is best when done in a peaceful and quiet place. Libraries are an excellent example of such a place. If you don’t have access to a library, find a spot in your home or dorm where you can sit quietly and focus on your studying. The more focused you are, the faster and easier your learning will be.

  1. Join or Create a Study Group

Studying with people who have the same subjects as you will help you learn better. In a typical study group, each member will create a short presentation for a topic assigned to them. They explain this topic to the other members, who do the same for their own topics.

  1. Treat Yourself 

The human brain responds to studying better when rewarded for completing a task. Each time you complete a significant task on your study to-do list, go ahead and give yourself a little treat. This will keep you motivated and focused throughout your study sessions.

  1. Organize Yourself

Create a strict schedule or to-do list, so you know exactly what topics you have to cover for the day. Instead of writing something vague in your list, like “revise physics,” mention the exact chapter you need to study, like “revise physics topic: vectors.” 

A schedule will help you decide how to spend your day. Knowing what you’re supposed to be doing at a specific time will help you stay focused, with lesser chances of you derailing from the task at hand.

  1. Focus in Class

Actively listening to your lessons will improve your chances of understanding the topic at hand. Self-study is great, but it doesn’t work for everyone. If you are a learner who responds better to things they hear, be sure to pay attention in class! You might surprise yourself and notice an improvement in your grades and results.

  1. Switch Your Phone Off

The best advice we can give you is this: switch your phone when studying! If you don’t need anything apart from your textbooks, put your phone away. It can be one of the biggest distractions when studying, and dismissing it from the learning scene is a great trick to boost your study speed and concentration.

Conclusion

These tricks are some of the best ones you can use to make your studies easier. By allotting specific amounts of time towards studying, you can achieve the grade you’ve always wanted. Use these handy tricks to conquer your textbooks and become the best learner you can be!

References:

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Studying-Easy

https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/help-with-study/how-to-study-better/top-10-study-tips

What Is An Anti Utopia?

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An anti utopia is usually an imaginary world full of horror and misery. It is unlike a utopia, which is an imaginary world that is perfect in every way. The most notable anti utopias were created by two famed authors Aldous Huxley and Geroge Orwell, in their novels based on futuristic anti-utopias. 

Aldous Huxley describes a world where there is no pain or suffering, and hedonism and scientific technology have taken over the world, stripping humanity of grief and other emotions that make life meaningful. George Orwell, who happened to be a student of Aldous Huxley, also wrote an anti-utopian novel describing a totalitarian future and the fate of those who tried to stand up to it. 

Both novels were based on a distant future and share numerous common themes, such as an inherent distrust of the state. However, they are also many differences, and the two approach the subject completely differently. 

Brave New World 

The anti utopia futuristic novel Brave New World is set in a seemingly utopian world where there is no sickness, pain, or poverty, and everything is structured and controlled by the government. Sex is only a means of procreation and is continuously encouraged through slogans, such as “everyone belongs to everyone else.” Children are born and raised in factory-like institutions and genetically modified to fit into predetermined, man-made class systems. 

Two citizens from this New World seem to be falling in love, which is seen as antisocial behavior. They travel to a ‘savage reservation’ filled with people who are shunned by society for believing in the old fashioned values of love and freedom, for research purposes. Here they meet one of the old residents of the New World, an elderly woman, and her son, who happens to be the son of an influential figure in the New World. They are taken back to society as an experiment. 

However, the woman dies from an addiction to an anti-anxiety substance that is common in the new world, driving her son almost mad with guilt and regret. We see an argument between the leaders of this New World and the son who determines that it is his right to feel unhappy, uncomfortable, or emotional if he wants to – feelings that the entire novel dictates are crucial to leading a genuine and humanistic life. Being denied this right, the son self-exiles himself to lead a life as uncomfortable as possible and eventually kills himself. 

1984

George Orwell’s anti-utopian novel is set in the future as well. This future, however, is run by a totalitarian government that does not believe in free-thinking and tries to impose as much control over its citizens as possible through extreme measures. Run by a figurehead known as “Big-Brother” and monitored by the “Thought Police,” the future seems bleak and frightening. 

The book’s protagonist, along with his like-minded love interest, becomes attracted to a revolutionary group of dissenters who want a life of honesty and decency. Unbeknownst to them, they are being monitored closely by the government and are eventually caught. The true theme of the book emerges here, where to break the prisoners, they are subject to unimaginable horrors until they are stripped of their humanity and will to live freely entirely. 

As the protagonist is being tortured, he begs for the punishment to be inflicted on his lover instead. Years later, the two ex-lovers encounter each other, but neither one of them is interested in the other anymore. Instead, the protagonist now only reveres the “Big Brother.”

Relation To The Modern World

Although the two books were written decades ago, many of their themes still ring true. This includes the dangers of having an all-powerful government, technology which is used to control the masses, the rise of government control, and the holistic nature of both happiness and sadness. 

These two books are commonly used as study materials in classes because of their futuristic thinking. Some professors may ask their students to write an essay about Brave New World, which might be a bit tricky if you don’t understand the book properly. You can also read an article on the web that describes the true essence of the anti-utopia present in the novels. 

Reading these novels that describe two vastly different kinds of anti utopias gives one a more in-depth understanding of some of the problems faced by the current world. Both novels were published round about the time of World War II, and they both reflect upon the feelings of resentment and distrust of the state at the time. 

They both highlight different issues as well, with Huxley’s novel focusing on how technology is not the answer to our social problems and with Orwell focusing on the importance of democracy. However, the similar themes present in the book help us to learn the importance of freedom.  

Conclusion 

An anti utopia is a frightening and terrible imaginary world created by some authors to highlight different issues. In Aldous Huxley’s case, it was the loss of completeness and humanity in search of a perfect world; whereas, in George Orwell’s novel, it was about the dangers of having an all-powerful totalitarian government. The writing and tone in both novels are foreboding, and they are excellent materials for students to read to help them learn about the complexities of social issues and the dangers of not being careful with our future.

References

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/bravenew/themes/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brave-New-World

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nineteen-Eighty-four

Charlotte’s Own Lifted Opened New South End CBD Dispensary and National Franchise Headquarters

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Lifted, one of Charlotte’s first CBD Dispensaries, just opened a new flagship retail location and corporate headquarters in South End and announced that franchise opportunities will be made available in a few weeks.

Co-founders Adam Cozzolino and Matt Houser launched the first Lifted location in January of 2019 in NoDa’s Area 15. After almost a year of exponential growth and a steady stream of franchise inquiries, it became evident that the two entrepreneurs had developed a differentiated business model that offered unique value to the Hemp/CBD community.

“We have created an educational shopping experience where our sales team does not follow like a shadow – they lead, as a guide,” says co-founder, Adam Cozzolino. “When customers visit our stores, they usually come through the door in one of two mindsets: either as a seasoned consumer who knows exactly what they need and what they are looking for – or as a curious consumer who has no knowledge of hemp, whatsoever; but they have been told by someone they know that it will benefit them in some way. At Lifted, we are able to completely satisfy the needs of both consumers – and every other kind in-between – and we are able to do so because of our design, our products and out commitment to knowledge. In this ever-emerging industry, you have to know who to trust – and our customers know that they will always be able to trust us.”

Their new flagship store in South End is the first Lifted location to offer a ‘Candy Bar’ concept featuring CBD-infused gummies and chocolates;

as well as a wide variety of CBD wholesale lotions, salves, bath bombs, oils, and even dog treats;

Lifted’s Cozzolino and Houser have hand-picked, researched, and tested every item in the dispensary and are excited to bring top-notch products to the Charlotte area.

“We use patented machines to Cold Press USDA Certified Organic hemp at 20,000 pounds per square inch, never using any heat, solvents or CO2 in our extraction process,” commented Houser. “By doing things this way, it allows all beneficial fibers, including natural, rich terpenes, chlorophyll and phytonutrients to remain intact. We never add any additional ingredients, flavors or preservatives to any of our full spectrum oils.”

To celebrate the new store’s opening, Lifted will be offering a Black Friday special to all Charlotte Stories readers.

Simply mention this article when visiting the new South End Lifted location (501 Penman St.) between Monday 11/25 and Friday 11/29 to receive one of the following:

#1 3 Free CBD-Infused Gummies:

#2 A Free Sample of CBD-Infused Salve:

#3 A Free Pre-Rolled Hemp-Flower Joint:

To find out more you can follow them on Instagram @LiftedCLT or check out their Lifted website here.

10 Gifts Every True Panther Fan Will Love

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It’s now the perfect time to buy your hardcore Panther fan friend (or yourself) some new gear.

If you’re looking for that perfect Panther swag, or if you’d just like to show a little more team spirit, here are the top 10 gifts that every true Panther fan is sure to love:

#1 Panthers Infinity Scarf

panthers infinity scarf panthers gear

Show your team spirit wearing this Carolina Panthers infinity scarf. It makes the perfect game day accessory and great for adding a little extra to your jersey – see what people think about the Panthers Infinity Scarf by clicking here.

#2 Panthers Snuggie

panther snuggie gifts for panthers fans

Come on people, it’s a Panthers snuggie, who wouldn’t want one of these?

#3 Panthers Toms

Custom, handpainted Carolina Panthers Tom’s in gray.

Check out more details here.

#4 Panthers Cornhole Set

panthers corn hole set

This custom Pathers cornhole set is perfect for tailgating, cookouts, or just hanging out on a sunny Carolina day.

Check out more details by clicking here.

#5 Keep Pounding Bracelet

This is the perfect accessory if you want to show your Panther pride every day of the week – or to just remind yourself to keep pounding throughout your day! Check out more information or buy one on Etsy by clicking here.

#6 Signed Cam Newton Panthers Jersey

signed cam newton jersey gifts for panthers fans

Make all your friends (and everyone at the game) super jealous with this signed Cam Newton Panther’s jersey. This was hand signed by Cam after one of last season’s games. See more details about this signed Panthers jersey by clicking here.

#7 Panthers Earrings

panther earings gifts for panthers fans

If you have ears, or if you know anyone with ears, these earrings are for you. Check out what other Panthers fans think about them here.

#8 Panther Car Decal

panther car decal gifts for panthers fans

If you have a car and you call yourself a Panthers fan and you don’t have one of these, you need one of these.

#9 Panthers Insulated Cooler/Chair Combo

panther cooler chair gifts for panthers fans

This is one of those inventions that you’re probably thinking, “that’s my invention!” Perhaps one of the most brilliant inventions in tailgating history, this chair/cooler will allow you to not only keep your beverages cold, but also sit. Sit, keep stuff cold, and support the Panthers, all with one click.

#10 Panthers Printed Canvas

Each one of these hand-made giclee printed Panthers canvases is truly one-of-a-kind. The perfect gift for any Panther fan’s office, bedroom, sports bar, man cave, living room, etc. Bring pride, color and light to your interior décor with these original Panther prints! Find out more details about this print here on Etsy.com.

Bonus: Luke Kuechly Panther Socks

Luke Kuechly socks carolina panthers fans

Full color in the front, black and white in the back – these are truly classic.

Custom Pins

Each customized pin is absolutely unique, you can design according to your preferences, from color to material, from shape to pattern, each is unique. Whether you’re thinking of giving it to a Panthers fan around you or to yourself, this is a unique gift that will make them feel how much you care and love for them. The biggest advantage of the pin is that it can exist anywhere, use it to decorate your clothes, backpack, or collect. Posting your own custom pins on social media will also allow you to quickly find people with the same interests as you. For more custom pin information check GS-JJ.

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, you can browse over 396,000 other Panthers items by clicking here.

Please share if you love the Panthers!

Have a Holly, Jolly Holiday in Belmont, NC

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‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, a flurry of festivities and memory making – and Belmont, N.C., has the right amount of holly and jolly for just that. From timeless traditions to family friendly activities, this charming southern city will dazzle and delight this holiday season. 

Visitors from near and far are invited to Charlotte’s westward neighbor – Belmont, N.C. Skip the hustle and bustle of the big city for small-town charm, wintry streetscapes, glowing gardens and much more. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s yearly celebration will shimmer and shine alongside McAdenville’s annual transformation into Christmas Town USA and new activities in the heart of historic downtown Belmont. 

“We may not have snow or a white Christmas, but we certainly roll out the red carpet with holiday events year after year,” said Phil Boggan, Belmont’s downtown director. “And it’s more than merriment across our city; it’s unique boutique shopping, it’s renowned and locally owned restaurants, it’s old and new traditions. It’s a holiday dose of sincere southern charm.” 

Following Thanksgiving, the most joyful time of year begins in Belmont with a mile of a million lights at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The annual Holidays at the Garden is bigger and better than ever in 2019 featuring LED cherry trees along Canal Garden, waves of glittering glow in the Piedmont Prairie, model trains weaving within the Orchid Conservatory and thousands of dancing, colorful lights strewn across 300 acres. Families can visit with Santa Claus and his Mrs., roast a marshmallow by a crackling fire, snap photos by the towering orchid tree or sip warm beverages along Garden pathways. This robust event begins Nov. 29 and extends beyond the New Year to Jan. 5. 

On Dec. 2, McAdenville will shine brightly in its annual presentation of Christmas Town USA. Through Dec. 26, walk or drive through this small town only three miles from Belmont and enjoy homes, businesses, lampposts, trees and the lake dripping in lights. Christmas Town USA is the largest noncommercial holiday display in the U.S. – that means it’s free to visit! – and celebrates its 64th year this season. Additionally, it’s a finalist for USA Today’s “Best Public Holiday Lights Display” with voting open until early December. Venture to McAdenville nightly for six-decade traditions such as the kickoff Christmas Tree Lighting, the Yule Log Ceremony and the heartwarming nostalgia. 

Also on Dec. 2, Belmont’s Festival of Trees begins with the city’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall. Venture along historic downtown’s brick-lined sidewalks and nearby Stowe Park for an immersive experience of white lights and holiday cheer. The lights glow through the year’s end. This year, Belmont shares its Christmas Village again (Dec. 7) and its first ice rink event, Dec. 5-7. These festivities bring extra delight to downtown with train rides, outdoor s’mores, a human snow globe and much more. 

“Belmont blooms more and more every year and the holiday season is no exception,” said Ted Hall, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “Our businesses deck the halls, our streets welcome new festivities and our community shares that charming southern hospitality. It’s the merriest time of year and the merriest moments for our Belmont.” 

Kaepernick’s Lawyer Announces 2 Teams Are Now Interested In Signing Him

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Just one week after controversial former NFL QB Colin Kaepernick performed a public workout in Atlanta, his lawyer is now saying that there are 2 teams showing strong interest in signing him.

Kaepernick’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, called into the Adam Carolla Show this past Tuesday and talked about the workout and what teams are interested in him.

“There are two teams that I think are in the hunt,” Geragos said on the “Adam Carolla Show,” Tuesday, Nov. 19. “One who is legitimately in need of a quarterback who had a very poor showing on Sunday and has got an owner that I don’t think gives a sh**.” He also added, “I think you’re gonna hear something within the next 10 days.”

The first team could either be the Bears or the Redskins, but most commentators agree that the second team Geragos was referring to was the Panthers, given Newton’s IR status, Allan’s sliding performance, and Kaepernick’s similar characteristics to Newton, including the ability to throw the long ball and dynamic carrying skills. It also helps that David Tepper one of the most left-leaning owners in the league.

Do you think Tepper should bring Kaepernick to the Carolinas?