Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Unveils Plans For Massive New $100 Million Uptown Branch

Steve
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Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Unveils Plans For Massive New $100 Million Uptown Branch
via Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has just unveiled plans for a massive new $100 million, 115,000 SqFt, 6-story main branch in Uptown Charlotte.

The detailed plans include 5 levels above ground and 1 below, with 2 outdoor terraces, a vendor-operated café, 2 immersive theaters, additional flex space and meeting rooms, and significantly upgraded collections spread throughout the building.

“The new main library will be an architecturally-distinctive, state-of-the-art, technologically advanced knowledge center and public commons, where everyone in our community can access the resources of a 21st century library, use them to learn and grow to the best version of ourselves, connect with others and participate in the public life of our community. This will be the gateway to a re-imagined North Tryon street corridor, and a catalyst for additional re-development to be announced surrounding our block,” says Lee Keesler, CEO of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. “The new Main Library helps further our mission to improve lives and build a stronger community by strengthening public engagement, supporting economic opportunity and connecting community resources.”

The new Main Library project will be a public-private partnership. Mecklenburg County has committed $65 million for the construction of new Main Library, and the associated build-out of an offsite support services center that will house non-customer facing activities currently located at the existing Main Library. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s CommonSpark campaign will raise $50 million for the new Main Library, plus an additional $20 million for library system needs. Total public and private funding for the project is $135 million.

Each level will be designed with a specific thematic focus:

  • Lower Level: houses a pre-function and event space
  • Level 1: includes the two main entrances as well as a café entrance, lobby, café, immersive theater area, reading zones, and self-service checkpoints
  • Level 2: features the welcome and orientation center for new and recent Mecklenburg residents, with a job training center and counseling services space, along with the core technology and makerspace offerings, including a technology center, computer lab, digital visualization lab, and recording studios. There is also an outdoor terrace which offers views up and down Tryon Street and connects to the street life below
  • Level 3: houses the bulk of the collections and offers soft seating for reading and research overlooking Tryon and 6th streets, along with staff space
  • Level 4: showcases the revamped Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, and features the library’s special collections and an immersive theater and staff space
  • Level 5: houses the spacious destination reading room, a writer’s studio and porch, and an outdoor terrace which serves as a reading, programming and meeting space with a unique view of Uptown Charlotte, along with administrative offices.

The Library now plans on breaking ground on the new building in early 2021 and is scheduled for completion and opening sometime in early 2024.

Nominate a Local Family To Receive A Free Thanksgiving Meal From Sticky Fingers

Charlotte Stories
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Nominate a Local Family To Receive A Free Thanksgiving Meal From Sticky Fingers
This Thanksgiving Sticky Fingers Ribhouse will be giving free Thanksgiving meals to six families in need.
The restaurant chain is asking customers to nominate local families who are in need of a hot holiday meal. One family will be chosen from each of their six southeast market areas to receive a full Thanksgiving meal including turkey, all the sides, and dessert.
To nominate a family, go to the Sticky Fingers website and complete a form describing why this family deserves a helping hand. One family will be chosen from each of the Sticky Fingers metro areas including Charleston, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Jacksonville, Florida.
Submissions must be received by November 22.
The families to receive the meals will be chosen and notified on November 25.

Panthers New Starting QB Kyle Allen Placed On Injury Report

Charlotte Stories
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Panthers New Starting QB Kyle Allen Placed On Injury Report
via Joe Camporeale – USA TODAY Sports

Just 1 day after former starting QB Cam Newton was placed on injured reserve, our new starting QB Kyle Allen was placed on Wednesday’s injury report.

According to the report, Allen injured his right throwing shoulder, but still fully participated in practice (DNP means ‘Did not participate in practice’ and FP means ‘Full participation’);

Although there has been no official statement by the Panthers as to the severity of Allen’s injury, the fact that he fully participated in practice is a positive sign that the injury may be minor.

This past week, Allen completed 17 of 32 throws for a total of 232 passing yards, including 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

If Allen is healthy enough to start this weekend, he’ll lead the 5-3 Panthers against the 7-2 Packers on their home turf at at Lambeau Field.

16-Year-Old Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Coming To Charlotte For Youth Climate Strike

Charlotte Stories
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16-Year-Old Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Coming To Charlotte For Youth Climate Strike

16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has just announced that she will be coming to Charlotte this weekend to march in our city’s second “Youth Climate Strike”

She made the announcement on her Twitter account last night (which now has 2.9 million followers);

The young activist from Sweden became globally renown after her now viral speech during the UN Climate Action Summit in September;

On the same day as Greta’s speech, hundreds of youth marched through Uptown Charlotte for the Queen City’s first Youth Climate Strike.

According to former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, over 500 people showed up to the event;

What are your thoughts on this Friday’s Youth Climate Strike?

Charlotte Area’s Top Male Groomer Offers Tips For No Shave November

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Area’s Top Male Groomer Offers Tips For No Shave November

patrick-oneil-beard-washLocal Cornelius resident Patrick O. Anderson has spent most of his life in male grooming, he started as a barber, then a barber instructor, barber shop owner, and even became the CEO of the Prestige Barber Styling Institute.

In 2007, he launched his own line of grooming products designed specifically for the active man.

Men that demand the very best for their daily skincare, hair care, beard grooming, and daily shaving regimens will look no further. Nothing complicated, nothing cosmetic — just real solutions that provide immediate visible results. Patrick Oneil Grooming Products entail formulas that are straightforward, with multi-functional benefits and results in a single product, making them the best of the best.

I recently spoke with him about this month’s No Shave November phenomena, and if he had any advice for new beard growers in the Charlotte area.

patrickoneilgroomingHe told us that there are 2 distinct stages, and what to do for each:

Phase I: | 0-2 Weeks

During this phase, your beard will itch and become patchy and/or disheveled. You will need to be strong and fight the urge to reach for the razor – your skin will eventually adjust.

Solution: Wash your stache and beard with Patrick Oneil Face and Beard Wash, a gentle wash free of sulfates. Follow the washing process with Patrick Oneil Beard Oil to lessen the itch and to moisturize skin and hair.

Phase 2: | 3 Weeks – 1 Month

For those of you participating in NSN, you should be at the stage where you are noticing a fair amount of your beard has grown in, which will tell you how your hair naturally grows, and what shape your beard can take. Avoid trimming until this one-month marker.

Your beard may look slightly shaggy, so if you do begin trimming, use scissors rather than a trimmer for more control over how much you take off. A mistake a lot of guys make at this stage is taking too much off and then shaving the beard off altogether. Trim the mustache, neckline, and upper cheeks.

Solution: Rinse your beard every day or use our beard wash which is gentle enough to use daily. Follow with beard oil. Since it’ll be dry and cool outside, we suggest sealing in the moisture with Patrick Oneil Soother. This will prevent the skin underneath your whiskers from getting chapped.

Check out Patrick’s full line of products on his website at https://www.patrickoneilgrooming.com/

63-Year-Old Garinger High Teacher Charged With Sex With A Student Found Dead In Her Home

Charlotte Stories
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63-Year-Old Garinger High Teacher Charged With Sex With A Student Found Dead In Her Home

63-year-old Emma Ogle, who was arrested last week and charged with having sex with a student, was just found dead in her home alongside her husband, Michael Ogle in an apparent murder-suicide.

This morning at about 8am, Huntersville police closed Hambright Rd. and put Lake Norman Charter Elementary School on an emergency “code yellow” lockdown;

According to a press conference held this afternoon, police were first alerted to the situation after a family member of Michael Ogle drove to his house after he didn’t come to work.

The family member saw Emma Ogle holding a gun through the windows and immediately called the police.

Officers quickly worked to block off the area, put the elementary school across the street on lockdown, and sent in the SWAT unit.

When SWAT officers entered they home, they found Emma and Michael dead on the ground from gunshot wounds.

Emma was arrested on Halloween and charged with a sex act with a student, indecent liberties with a student, and a crime against nature. She was placed on paid leave from her Health Occupations teaching position at Garinger High School the day after her arrest and was released from police custody on $10,000 bail.

According to police, Ogle began her relationship with the 17-year-old student last spring and it turned sexual over the summer.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Belmont’s Holidays at the Garden: A Mile of a Million Lights Opening This Month

Charlotte Stories
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Belmont’s Holidays at the Garden: A Mile of a Million Lights Opening This Month

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s annual Holidays at the Garden returns with a shimmering Mile of a Million Lights! Along the journey, discover the colorful lights of the topiaries dancing to merry tunes, LED cherry trees glowing along Canal Garden, waves of color glittering in the Piedmont Prairie, enchanting fairy villages, a new interactive Stickwork sculpture by NC artist Patrick Dougherty, and so much more. Holidays at the Garden will be open Nov. 29, 2019 through Jan. 5, 2020 from 5 to 9 p.m. each evening, although the Garden will be closed Christmas Day.

About Holidays at the Garden

Visitors will enjoy annual traditions including the 15-foot towering orchid tree, live music (daily 6 to 8 p.m.), holiday shopping in The Garden Store, crackling fires to warm cold hands or roast a marshmallow, a children’s activity, warm beverages and more. Food and snacks will be available for purchase in addition to beverages including coffee, hot chocolate, cider, beer, wine and other spirits.

Model train displays built by the Metrolina Model Railroaders can be found throughout the Garden in addition to an expanded display of quaint buildings from Department 56’s Dickens’ Village Series®. Santa Claus will be available for professional photos with families on Dec. 2, 9 and 16  from 5 to 8:30 p.m. (additional fee, reservations required online). Santa will also be available Tuesday through Thursday from Dec. 3 – 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for personal photos (no fee). Mrs. Claus will visit the Garden Friday through Sunday from Nov. 29 to Dec. 22 in addition to Christmas Eve from 6 to 8 p.m.

New this year, North Carolina artist Patrick Dougherty’s latest interactive Stickwork sculpture will be on display throughout the holiday season. Using minimal tools and a simple technique of bending, interweaving, and fastening together twigs and branches, he creates works of art inseparable with nature and the landscape. With a dazzling variety of forms seamlessly intertwined with their context, his sculptures evoke fantastical images of nests, cocoons, cones, castles, and beehives. Over the last thirty years, Dougherty has built more than 300 works throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia that range from stand-alone structures to a kind of modern primitive architecture–every piece mesmerizing in its ability to fly through trees, overtake buildings, and virtually defy gravity.

Holidays at the Garden will be open Nov. 29, 2019 through Jan. 5, 2020 from 5 to 9 p.m. each evening, although the Garden will be closed Christmas Day. Holidays at the Garden admission is discounted for tickets purchased online in advance and prices increase at the door. Admission purchased online in advance for Monday through Thursday is $14.95 per adult, $12.95 per senior 60+, $7.95 per child 2-12 and free for children under age two. Admission purchased online in advance for Friday through Sunday is $16.95 per adult, $14.95 per senior 60+, $8.95 per child 2-12 and free for children under age two. Garden members receive a 30% discount and also receive 30% off the purchase of up to four guest passes. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance at www.DSBG.org.

Charlotte’s 10 Worst Restaurant Health Scores in October 2019

Steve
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Charlotte’s 10 Worst Restaurant Health Scores in October 2019

Even though the Charlotte region’s restaurant selection continues to grow, so does our population, and some restaurants are taking advantage of this growing customer base by letting their health standards slide.

Some of the most common reasons for low scores were food handlers not washing their hands properly, contaminated food containers, and improper food temperatures (many restaurants are starting to use infrared thermometers to avoid this). You can see exactly what the inspectors look for on this blank copy of an inspection report.

These were the top 10 worst inspection scores in Charlotte for the month of October:

#10 Hef’s Bar & Grill 

1920 SARDIS ROAD NORTH, CHARLOTTE NC 28270
Scored 88 (B) on 10/17/2019 (rescored to 97 on 10/23)

They had the following violations;

  • Employees observed touching soiled dishes with gloves then changing gloves without washing hands in between.
  • Employees observed washing hands then proceeding to turn off faucet handles with bare hands.
  • Raw lobster, eggs and shrimp observed over ready to eat potatoes and celery in walk-in cooler. Ahi tuna observed raw over cooked corn and potatoes in reach-in cooler.
  • Multiple stacks of plates and bowls observed with leftover food debris on them that were deemed clean. When new dishes were added to the clean stack, they were also observed with food debris.
  • Chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and pasta cooling from night prior to inspection found above 41F.
  • Multiple foods observed cold holding above 41F.
  • Several foods at flip top prep unit taken from walk-in cooler from days before inspection found with no date marking. Foods are being held in flip top coolers overnight after service.

#9 Rockin Rolls Sushi Express

1523 ELIZABETH AV, CHARLOTTE NC 28204
Scored 87.5 (B) on 10/17/2019 (rescored to 96 on 10/29)

They had the following violations;

  • Observed multiple food employees leaving tasks and handling soiled handles throughout kitchen then returning to food preparation without changing gloves and washing hands.
  • Observed raw eggs over ready to eat sauce in bottom of large prep unit on cook line and raw beef, eggs and fish over avocados in walk in cooler
  • Observed multiple stacked utensils with light food residue or debris on them.
  • Observed PIC did not know when the sushi roller had been washed rinsed and sanitized last.
  • Observed cooked sushi rolls and shrimp tempura at 45F.
  • Observed multiple TCS foods with no date mark
  • Observed sushi rice tiem labeled at 1030 am placed on plates color coded for 11 and the 12p paltes(blue) not in use at 1230. Facility not following their written TPHC procedures.

#8 Rebecas Deli 

6404 ALBEMARLE RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28212
Scored 87.5 (B) on 10/30/2019 (rescored to 92.5 on 11/5)

They had the following critical violations;

  • Soap missing at multiple handsinks.
  • Several foods in walk-in cooler including raw fish, ready to eat cooked pork, raw chicken, and raw eggs being stored improperly. Foods must be stored according to final cook temperature.
  • Slicer observed with lettuce debris from night before inspection and is not being cleaning frequently enough.
  • Cooked pork found in walk-in cooler cooked last night at 54F.
  • Ensure including the first day of prep, the foods get a total of 7 days before discarding. Multiple items including cooked beans, rice, chicken, pork, ground pork, and cut cabbage found from previous prep dates with no date marking. Items are being cooked and place in freezer for weeks without date marking.
  • Observed cut lettuce in standing water in flip top.
  • Containers of uncooked beans and oil being stored on the floor near walk-in cooler.

#7 Terrace Cafe of Ballantyne

14815 BALLANTYNE VILLAGE WAY, CHARLOTTE NC 28277
Scored 87.5 (B) on 10/8/2019 (rescored to 96.5 on 11/1)

They had the following violations;

  • Observed no one present during inspection that is certified as a food protection manager.
  • Observed two employee drinks sitting on prep top unit counter.
  • Observed several metal/plastic containers and bar glasses soiled with debris but stored as clean.
  • Observed large plastic container of Hawaiian salad drop only 3 degrees in 40 minutes, at a rate of 0.075 degrees per minute. Items cooling from room temperature should be cooling at 0.12 degrees per minute.
  • Observed all TCS items in prep unit closest to handsink maintaining temperatures between 55F-60F. See chart above. Facility has had several problems with the same unit in past inspections. This is the 4th consecutive cold holding violation.
  • Observed cut lettuce, chicken salad, sausage patties, and opened gallon of milk without datemarking.
  • Observed spring mix with old label still on container (9/26-9/29), sausage patties dated 10/6-10/16, turkey dated 10/9-10/16, and sausage bits, cut tomatoes, turkey bacon, shrimp all dated 10/9-10/14. Today is 10/8.

#6 Chicken King

7825 NATIONS FORD RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28217
Scored 85.5 (B) on 10/9/2019 (rescored to 92 on 10/24)

They had the following violations;

  • Observed food employee touch hat with gloved hands and then proceed to do food prep without glove changing or hand washing in between. Also observed food employee touch raw burgers with gloved hand and then proceed to touch salt shakers and other prep items without hand washing or gloved changing.
  • Observed food employee use gloved hands to touch raw burgers and then proceed to continue to food prep without glove changing or hand washing in between.
  • Observed heavy food buildup along the interior of the slicer.
  • Observed dishes that were stored as cleaned soiled to touch. Ensure that utensils are washed as frequent as every 4 hours and also ensure all food contact surfaces are cleaned to sight and touch.
  • Large cups of house made ranch cups were cold holding at 53 degrees inside of the 1 door display unit. Also observed boiled eggs, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese cold holding in between 42-46 degrees on flip top and in reach in cold hold unit.
  • Observed large containers of potatoes salad, and cole slaw with dates that exceed 7 day hold time. Also observed sliced deli meat with expired date marks.

#5 Bojangles #1114

3301 WILKINSON BV, CHARLOTTE NC 28208
Scored 85.5 (B) on 10/31/2019

They had the following violations;

  • Observed an employee’s drink stored on the prep sink under the tea urn and a drink stored on top of the ansul system above the chicken fryer.
  • Observed several employee’s washing their hands for less than 15-20 seconds.
  • Observed an employee wash hands, then take a towel and wipe sweat on his face and then return to work without washing hands again.
  • Observed no paper towels at the hand sink by the walk in cooler at the start of the inspection.
  • Observed a missing hand washing sign in the women’s restroom.
  • Observed black build up on the shield of the ice machine; clean ice machine.
  • Observed 2 pans with food debris and grease stored as clean.
  • Observed liquid eggs above 41F.
  • Observed all items in the prep unit holding above 41F on the cook line.
  • Time was not posted on the fries at the start of the inspection.

#4 Pho Ngon 

2215 AYRSLEY TOWN BLVD, CHARLOTTE NC 28273
Scored 85 (B) on 10/22/2019 (rescored to 95.5 on 10/24)

They had the following violations;

  • Observed duties of PIC not being performed due to lack of cold holding and lack of hot water.
  • Observed hot water out handwash unable to reach 100 degrees. Facility voluntarily closed.
  • Observed raw steak over rice noodles and raw shrimp over cooked beef tendon. C
  • Observed slicer in stored as clean with visible food debris.
  • Observed spicy soup cooled from last night still at 47 degrees.
  • Observed prep unit 1 and 3 unable to maintain proper temperatures according to PIC due to hood malfunction heating kitchen temperature in excess of parameters for prep units.
  • Observed side of raw or rare beef without reminder linking product to consumer advisory.

#3 Wang & King Asian Cafe

10720 S TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28273
Scored 84 (B) on 10/25/2019

They had the following violations;

  • Observed personal beverages with no lids stored in prep areas.
  • Observed PIC wash hands and use same hands to turn knobs off without any protective restraint. Also observed food employee touch hair and then proceed to food prep without hand washing in between.
  • Facility is lacking hand washing sink in sushi prep area.
  • Observed blue crabs located in bags on the floor in the freezer.
  • Observed unwashed produce being stored over ready to eat produce(cabbage) in walk in cooler. Also observed raw beef being stored over sauce containers inside of reach in 2 door unit.
  • Observed raw shrimp being prepped in the same proximity as soiled dishes in 3 comp sink. Utilization of the permitted prep sinks are advised to ensure that any cross contamination is prevented.
  • Dish machine was unable to dispense adequate chlorine sanitizer. Chemical provider made a site visit to ensure that dish machine has been serviced and is now adequately working and properly dispensing.
  • Observed food employee use prep sink used for food prep to wash soiled pot without rinsing or sanitizing. Proper dish washing methods were given to employee for long term compliance.
  • Observed wd-40 onsite during the inspection. PIC stated that they use the WD-40 as a lubricant for the slicer.

#2 The Bistro 

321 W WOODLAWN RD, CHARLOTTE NC 28217
Scored 83.5 (B) on 10/16/2019

They had the following violations;

  • Observed tray of raw bacon stored above ready to eat muffins in walk in cooler.
  • Observed soiled knife, scoop, plate cover, lid stored as clean. Also observed sticker residue on several of the in-use pans/lids and some of the pans/lids stored as clean.
  • Observed ice machine showing black residue on white plastic deflector.
  • Observed tomato soup and marinara sauce prepared from room temperature ingredients at 4:55 were not changed in temperature by 5:45. Both were stored in covered deep pans and in the reach in cooler. Soup and sauce moved to shallow metal pans and placed, uncovered, in walk in cooler where they cooled to 41F in less than an hour.
  • Observed pot pie filling measuring 42F in reach in cooler, all items in lower right cold drawer measuring 47F-50F.
  • Observed opened but undated TCS ready to eat foods – ricotta cheese, goat cheese, cut melon x2, cooked chicken, breakfast burrito, cooked sausage, scrambled eggs, and cut lettuce. All were voluntarily discarded.
  • Observed expired foods in storage – pasta salad 10/7, hard boiled eggs 9/24, turkey 10/2, ricotta cheese 10/9, roasted tomatoes 10/8, arugula 10/9. All were voluntarily discarded.
  • Observed can of household RAID! pest spray stored on chemical shelf next to 3 compartment sink.

#1 Cottage 

6701 N TRYON ST, CHARLOTTE NC 28213
Scored 83 (B) on 10/24/2019 (rescored to 90 on 10/31)

They had the following violations;

  • Observed PIC wash hands then turn of faucet with barehands, recontaminating them.
  • Observed food employee touch trash, then go back to food preparation.
  • Observed food employee washing dishes in the handsink.
  • Observed knives stored clean on a hanger, 3 knives were soiled, when knives were removed from their spot, roaches were behind it.
  • Observed food employee using running water and soap. Sink was not filled with soapy water.
  • Observed food employee washing dishes without a sanitizing step.
  • Observed ice machine with black build-up.
  • Obserevd 6 dented cans of tomatoes and soy sauce. PIC did not understand the dangers of dented cans.
  • Observed cooked chicken, cabbage, and large containers of noodles all without datemarks.
  • Observed working bottle of degreaser with no label.

If you’d like to monitor health scores or do a quick search for a restaurant you’re about to eat at, check out North Carolina’s health inspection database here.

Top 10 Best Creative Date Night Ideas in Charlotte

Steve
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Top 10 Best Creative Date Night Ideas in Charlotte

Charlotte was recently ranked as the 4th best city in America for dating. It’s no surprise when you consider the number of transplants that are always looking to meet new people and our ever-growing number of mingling events and unique date-night activities.

We decided to sift through these businesses to find some truly creative new ways to connect with your sweetheart here in the Queen City.

Using online reviews and Charlotte Stories reader feedback, these are the top 10 best creative date night ideas in Charlotte;

#10 Escape Room Challenge

Work together with your better half to solve a series of increasingly difficult clues before the time runs out!

Groupon is now offering a 22% discount for couples at No-Da Escapes – one of Charlotte’s newest escape rooms.

#9 Laser Tag

Relive some of your favorite childhood memories with your sweetheart at Charlotte’s largest laser tag facility.

Laser Quest, in South Charlotte, features multiple multi-level arenas in which players navigate a maze of fog and technology while music pumps them up and laser beams fly from every direction. It’s a thrill, and one that makes for a great birthday party or team-building event for kids, teenagers, and adults.

Find out more info or buy tickets here.

#8 Haunted History Tour

Tours feature visits to various ghostly and historic spots, like the path to Charlotte, tunnels of grave fortune, theatrical ghosts and some of Uptown’s magnificently spooky houses. You’ll learn about significant people and battles, see where both the drinking of spirits and ghostly spirits intersect, and walk past ghoulish medical institutions.

Find out more info or buy tickets here.

#7 Murder-Mystery Dinner

Murder-mystery dinners begin innocently enough—guests arrive to mingle amid drinks and quiet conversation. As diners munch away, a sudden death interrupts the feasting. A detective arrives to determine who the killer is, inevitably laying blame on one of the audience members. Tablemates must work together to prove their innocence and find the real killer through an interactive performance full of hilarious suspects and eye-catching costumes, all the while dining on the included three-course meal and taking advantage of drink specials.

Find out more info or buy tickets here.

#6 Comedy Show at The Comedy Zone

Standing before a mural of the nighttime Charlotte skyline with “The Comedy Zone” imposed over a massive moon, nationally touring comics present finely honed humor. Within the NC Music Factory’s sprawling entertainment complex, The Comedy Zone keeps punch lines rolling with its regularly stuffed calendar of established and up-and-coming jokesters.

Find out more info or buy tickets here.

#5 Wine and Painting Class 

The artists at Wine and Canvas awaken their students’ inner Rembrandts and Van Goghs with classes that pair a featured painting with specialty cocktails and wines. The mobile studio’s monthly calendar includes themed classes in which instructors expound on the nuances of painting Parisian street lamps, Japanese flowers, or Venetian cityscapes.

They’re now offering 49% off for couple date nights – find out more here.

#4 Scavenger Hunt 

Crazy Dash’s organizers transform familiar city streets into playgrounds – or digital adventure games, as they put it. Teams sign up and, using their smart phones, follow a predetermined course along avenues and boulevards, taking in key sights from the city as they go. Along the course, they encounter ten or more checkpoints, where they answer challenge questions or snap selfies of a silly task such as singing in the street, sneaking through a fountain’s spray, or making eye contact with a stranger.

Find out more information by clicking here.

#3 Double Date Bubble Soccer

Find another couple or two, suit up in inflatable bubbles, find a nearby park, and go crazy!

Bubble Soccer has been gaining viral fame all over the world over the past couple years – it’s basically full-contact soccer inside of giant bubble suits.

Groupon is now offering 43% off bubble suit rentals here.

#2 South End Gallery Crawl

Charlotte Magazine named the South End Gallery Crawl as the “Best Artsy Place to Take a Date.”

Charlotte’s biggest and oldest gallery crawl typically sees between 10 and 20 art galleries, design centers, and coffee shops participate, offering free food, live music, and some of the best art in the city.

Find out more information on Historic South End’s website here.

#1 Date Night at Blackstone

Perhaps the most unique date night in the Queen City, Blackstone Shooting Sports’ date night combines firearms, fancy hor d’ oeuvres, and alcohol (in that order – they don’t allow drinking before shooting).

Check out more info on their Date Night page here.

Are you single? If these ideas made you want to date, check this website to see how the best online dating sites can help you find the perfect match for these date night ideas!

Did we miss any? What’s your favorite date night idea in Charlotte?

3 best garden fertilizer in 2019

Silvia Woolard
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3 best garden fertilizer in 2019

Many people advise beginners to stay clear from fertilizers and let plants grow by themselves. However, many of the agricultural and ornamental plants that are not native in the United States. As such, they do not get the same amount of nutrients that they require in their native land in the North American soil. Additionally, professional blended fertilizers are accurately measured for your plant use. Therefore, unforeseen mistakes with chemical reactions and malnutrition are prevented by buying reputable brands of fertilizers. For the beginner gardeners, there is definitely a need to learn more about fertilizers before you pick up your tools and start gardening

Three elements from the periodic table are required to ensure firm roots and vibrant, high yielding flowers in your plants. These elements are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). These three basic elements are usually advertised in many fertilizer packaging as NPK.

When planted outdoors, plants can be given a 20% balance of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen once they start developing leaves. For crops that were grown indoors, this formula must be minimized to one-fourth or one-half of strength since this result to droopy leaves due to shock in full force of nutrients. Unlike plants that are growing outdoors, indoor ones should be fed with fertilizers at least twice a week while watering them. Crops planted outside can get their nutrients from the air and from the ground so they need fewer attention in terms of fertilizer use.

To help you choose the best fertilizers for 2019, we brought together the in-house experts from Weekend Gardener, and asked them what would be for them are the 3 best fertilizers in 2019. We hope that through this review, we can guide you to find the most suitable choice for you and your plants. 

A word of caution; please remember to avoid fertilizers that are being sold as “slow-release”  “extended.” These types of fertilizers are great for hardy plants, but they can cause various types of health issues in your ornamental plant. They can easily destroy your plants, causing wilting and destruction of the root systems. Many ornamental and agricultural crops are delicate. Because they are not native in the United States, American growers are faced with constant risks of losing their crops due to various reasons.

As promised, we have listed the best of the highest-rated fertilizers in the year 2019. So without further ado, please see below the 3 best fertilizer in 2019:

#1 Advanced Nutrients Bloom, Micro & Grow

Advanced Nutrients Bloom, Micro & Grow is the ultimate 3-part nutrients formula that comes in a combo pack. It is complete fertilizer for your plants providing optimal nutrients for every stage of growth and developments of your crops. This fertilizer was developed to keep the pH level of the soil at the optimum level. As you water the plant, this fertilizer activates and create a balanced pH 4.5 to 8.5 for your plants. This fertilizer has been perfectly formulated that you will not need to check your soil’s pH level constantly. As a result, crops maintain their extensive root systems. It also results in thicker stems, bigger leaves and massive blooms.

#2 Fox Farm FX14049 Liquid Nutrient: Big Bloom, Grow Big & Tiger Bloom 

Fox Farm FX14049 Liquid Nutrient: Big Bloom, Grow Big & Tiger Bloom is another top-notch 3-part fertilizer. This is great for indoor crops because this fertilizer was especially designed for both soil and hydroponic use. This means this formula can be directly added, with the right measurement, to the water of hydroponic gardens. This brand of fertilizer is not very difficult to find. While some may opt to buy them online, you can easily grab this at the nearest supermarket or grocery store.

#3 General Hydroponics General Organics Go Box

The General Hydroponics General Organics Go Box is another fertilizer brand that can be used for hydroponic gardening of plants. It is a great fertilizer for plants that are just starting to grow. This is great for beginners because it is very consistent and provided all the nutrients needed by a plant.

Yes, it is true that creating your own organic fertilizer is an excellent way to cultivate your crops. However, the fertilizers mentioned above are formulated accurately to provide your crops all the nutrients they need. Fertilizer is important in your plants’ growth. This is especially true for crops that are grown indoors because the crops have no room to spread out their root system to get the optimum nutrients for their growth. As well, for many beginners and amateur growers, using these fertilizers provide an affordable way to cultivate plants.

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