US Pilots Film ‘Hypersonic’ UFOs Over East Coast

Several US navy pilots have just declassified a wealth of pictures, videos, and eye-witness accounts of unidentified flying objects over the East Coast to New York Times reporters. According to their accounts, several “strange objects” with “no visible engine” reached heights exceeding 30,000 feet and were seen traveling at hypersonic speeds.

US Navy Pilot Lieutenant Ryan Graves told the New York Times that he “saw the objects in 2014 and 2015 in training maneuvers from Virginia to Florida off the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt”. Graves added that the object’s speed and positioning indicated it was far more advanced than any flying crafts he was aware of.

“Keeping an aircraft in the air requires a significant amount of energy. With the speeds we observed, 12 hours in the air is 11 hours longer than we’d expect,” he told the Times.

The Navy recently announced the 2014-2015 videos were, in fact, taken by US Navy pilots as part of a new set of guidelines that allow pilots and other personnel to report encounters with “unidentified aircraft”.

“There have been a number of reports of unauthorized and/or unidentified aircraft entering various military-controlled ranges and designated air space in recent years,” the Navy said in a statement in response to questions from POLITICO. “As part of this effort, the Navy is updating and formalizing the process by which reports of any such suspected incursions can be made to the cognizant authorities. A new message to the fleet that will detail the steps for reporting is in draft.”

What do you think about the footage?

Do you believe in UFOs? 

What Is the Best Windows Toronto For the Living Room?

The living room is what brings the family members together at home. It acts as a centrepiece of our homes. It accommodates many activities, and it is what visitors usually see whenever they come to your home. As such, we will be right if we say it is the ambassador to the outside world. That is the reason your Toronto windows for your living room should be beautiful, easy to maintain, make your home comfortable, and let in natural light and ventilation.

Considering that these are some of the biggest window spaces in your structure, you might find it challenging when choosing the right windows Toronto for your living room. Here we will highlight some popular options for the living room, and you will find it easier when it is the time to choose windows for your living room. Take a look.

  1. Window Sizes for Living Room.

Windows installed in your room are some of the biggest windows in your room. Since standard windows have their disadvantages in terms of sizes, you may want to have a combination of several window designs for your living room replacement. Here are minimum and maximum dimensions for your living room windows Toronto.

window types size comparison table

Remember that both maximum measurements cannot be utilised concurrently.

  1. The difference in Window Frame Profiles.

Since you want to have a combination of the window for your sitting room or elsewhere, it is essential to know which windows replacement possess a high frame profile and the ones that possess low frame profile. These window styles tend to be more energy efficient, but that sacrifices the glass surface area.

Fixed windows come in both low and high frame profiles and complement the profile of an operable window behind it. Awning and casement windows come with wider or high frame profile.

  1. Window Style Options.

Now that you understand how some window styles work and their maximum sizes, you can start considering which style is suitable for your living room.

  1. Casement Windows Combinations.

This is a commonly used window combination for your room. This window design combination incorporates fixed (inoperable) and operable windows. The inoperable window offers an unobstructed view and boosts energy efficiency. It comes with a high profile. A fixed- casement window designs are best if you are thinking to use curtains in your home.

  1. End-Vent Windows.

These window designs function like an oversized slider. Since they can be made to specific limit dimensions, people who want to use a sliding feature of the windows often opt for end-vent windows replacement. Like sliders styles, end-vent come with a low profile, so they allow a lot of natural light to come in.

  1. Picture Windows.

Picture windows are the best choice if you want to enjoy both great energy efficiency, excellent view in your home. Inoperable windows are excellent when it comes to providing unobstructed view and energy efficiency. This style of windows is best to used if your room has multiple windows. As such, you have windows such as casement styles to ventilate your room, and at the same time, you are ensuring great energy efficiency and an unobstructed view of the external environment.

  1. Bay Windows.

You may say that they are expensive styles to use in your living room, but the best thing is that you know why they are expensive. These windows Toronto styles will, without a doubt, give a unique aesthetic to your home. They add more space to your sitting room, which can be used in various ways.

But remember that if you decide to installed bay windows Toronto, you may incur additional expenses. This is because bay windows are more susceptible to water leaks since they protrude from the wall surface.

In case of water infiltration, you will need to remove the entire window to access its damage, since the signs of water leak don’t reveal themselves in the walls. To ensure this doesn’t happen, do not use wood windows for your bay windows.

Where to Fish in Charlotte, North Carolina

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For those of you who didn’t step foot in this beautiful city so far, you need to know that it has the largest number of inhabitants in all North Carolina, counting for around 860,000 people. For one full decade, the city was named as the fastest-growing metro area in all the United States and is now considered one of the largest millennial hubs in the country.
In terms of geography, Charlotte was blessed for being near the Catawba River and the Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in the state. Other man-made lakes located near the city include Mountain Island Lake and Lake Wylie.

It represents a true paradise for passionate anglers and fishermen and, thanks to its humid subtropical climate, it allows enthusiasts to fish almost the entire year. If you’re planning a fishing trip with your best friends or family around this area, here are some spots you might be interested in.

Lake Norman

As we previously mentioned, this is the largest man-made lake in the entire North Carolina and features no less than 520 miles of coastline, a true paradise for anglers and fly fishers. Even though it is mainly used for motor boating, this doesn’t mean that you can’t still find a wide selection of fish to try your skills on.

Now, all you are left with is finding a good lure retriever and hope to catch white perch, bass, crappie, carp, sunfish or catfish. If you want to find a quiet spot to fish, you may want to try the Beatties Ford entrance in Denver, located less than two hours away from Charlotte.

Mountain Island Lake

Located near Lake Norman, the shoreline of this water resembles more the one of a river, making it the perfect spot for fly casting. The waters are clean and clear, allowing you to spot and easily catch bream, bass or carp.

However, you may want to go further away from the shoreline if you want to find a more isolated location to cast your reel. We suggest using a small boat or a kayak for a day away from the hectic city life.

Freedom Park

There are plenty of beautiful places to relax in inside Charlotte as well, and Freedom Park is one of them. Just a few minutes away from uptown, the park ensures various ways of entertainment and fun outdoor activities, including fishing. In these waters, you’ll be surprised to find channel catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegill.

What’s even better is that this place is child-friendly, meaning you can bring your entire family for a picnic or a fishing trip and, whenever the little ones get bored, they have easy access to the playground area.

Colonel Francis Beatty Park

Probably the most popular fishing spot inside the city, the Colonel Francis Beatty park spreads over 265 acres of land and waters. The pond is about 20 acres and has a depth of around 18 feet, enough to be filled with bluegill and largemouth bass for you to fish.

The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, so you’ll get plenty of time for a catch and release game or teaching your children the art of fishing. What we also liked is that there are plenty of places from where you can borrow a reel and rod and even buy bait, meaning you’ll have everything it takes to enjoy a pleasant day fishing trip.

Don’t forget to bring your North Carolina fishing license at all these spots or else you won’t be able to enjoy the catch.

Top 10 Best Comfort Food Restaurants in Charlotte

With the lazy days of summer in full swing, now’s the best time for some good old-fashioned comfort food.

According to online reviews and local reputations, here are the top 10 comfort food eateries in the Queen City;

top 10 comfort food restaurants in charlotte

merts heart and soul comfort food charlotte#10 Mert’s Heart and Soul

If you’re in the mood for some truly Southern comfort food, you gotta try Mert’s.

Salmon cakes, corn bread, deep fried catfish, home-made butter, mac and cheese, okra, fried green tomatoes, ribs, bbq, fried chicken…you can’t go wrong.

They are a true staple in the Southern food scene here in Charlotte and they absolutely deserve a spot on list of the best comfort food restaurants in Charlotte.

diamond charlotte comfort food#9 The Diamond

You gotta either get their Small Block burger with fried pickles or a Winky-Dinky Dog (with pimento cheese and chili) with tater tots.

The Diamond is Charlotte diner classic and after the Penguin tragically shut down, it took the crown as the best burger joint in Plaza Midwood.

dish comfort food in Charlotte#8 Dish

This is my favorite restaurant in Plaza Midwood by far.

I don’t think it matters where you grew up – you’ll feel at home the moment you walk in the door.

They make some of the best meatloaf and chicken ‘n’ dumplings in town and they serve a truly perfect biscuit and deviled egg with each meal.

Also, don’t miss out on their pies – trust me.

zacks ny deli comfort food in Charlotte#7 Jack’s New Yorker Deli

If you’re from the NorthEast (but not Boston), and you love big sandwiches with plenty of meat, this place is for you.

They’re specially seasoned fries are one of the things that sets them apart – the best fries in the city in my opinion.

Their selection of sandwiches is truly impressive – if you can dream it with meat, they likely have it.

My favorite was the Corned Beef and Cole Slaw.

bill spoon charlotte comfort food#6 Bill Spoon’s BBQ

Bill Spoon’s BBQ is another comfort food staple here in the Queen City.

Their pulled pork is perfectly moist and as flavorful as it comes, and their sauce is truly legendary in the Carolinas – a slightly sweet vinegar based sauce with the perfect amount of kick.

bang-bang-burgers-hangover#5 Bang Bang Burgers

If you’re looking for comfort food in Elizabeth, this is the spot.

It’s tucked away between Antony’s Caribbean and Jersey Mike’s subs (and there’s a Starbucks across the street if you get a food coma).

Bang Bang is famous in Charlotte for their short rib blend for every burger they create.

They may have just cracked the code for the ultimate balance of juiciness and meatiness.

They also have awesome quinoa salad and sweet potato fries if you want to feel a little bit better about all that greese you just ate.

landmark diner comfort food#4 Landmark Diner

The Landmark has the biggest menu on our list – by far. They carry everything from American, to Italian, to Greek, to Asian comfort foods – and somehow they make it all taste incredible.

It has a true New York diner feel to it, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day.

Also, their deserts are very big and very good.

crown point comfort food#3 Crown Point Restaurant

This place served their first order of their now-famous fried squash in 1981, and they’ve been dishing out good ol’ fashioned comfort food the the Charlotte region ever since.

Crown Point Restaurant’s chefs have earned local renown for their platefuls of hearty, made-from-scratch comfort fare. Besides their fried squash, they’re also known for their hand-cut pork chops and chicken livers.

comfort food charlotte#2 Brook’s

Another local legend, Brook’s was recently voted as having the best burger in the city.

They’re also one of the other few places in Charlotte that will only accept cash (but they did just recently get an ATM).

They’re only open on weekdays until 3pm, and if you get there between 11-2, you will be waiting.

Order your burger all the way – trust me, you want their chili.

prices chicken comfort food#1 Price’s Chicken Coop

This place is constantly voted as having the best fried chicken in the city – it’s a truly Charlotte staple.

It’s also one of the oldest restaurants in the Queen City – and one of the few remaining places that only takes cash.

Make sure you come hungry – their portions are nice and large.

Who do you think has the best comfort food in Charlotte? 

Let us know in the comments below;

Please share;

Epic Double-Overtime Win Sends Charlotte Checkers To Calder Cup For The First Time in History

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via Charlotte Checkers

Last night, the Charlotte Checkers stunned a record-sized crowd at the Bojangles’ Coliseum with an epic 4-3 double-overtime win against the Toronto Marlies.

This is the first time in history that Charlotte’s 9-year-old team will advance to the Calder Cup AHL Finals.

With a tied score of 3-3 in double overtime, the Checkers swarmed the goal and forced the winning goal in;

“It’s pretty wild, to be honest with you,” said Coach Mike Vellucci. “It’s pretty draining. It was really hot in the building and we were down to nine or 10 forwards for most of it because we got some injuries and illnesses again. A great job by the penalty kill again – guys were warriors on that, we scored shorthanded and our own power play goal was a big difference.”

Charlotte will now be facing the winner of the Western Conference Finals between the Chicago Wolves and the San Diego Gulls.

The Calder Cup Finals will begin on Saturday, June 1, at 6 p.m.

Charlotte Was Ranked As America’s Sweatiest City

charlotte americas sweatiest cityThe city of Charlotte has officially been ranked as America’s sweatiest city by scientists at the University of Rhode Island.

The study was funded by Honeywell Fans and used the latest atmospheric data to determine hotspots across the country. They also compared every large city to its proximity to bodies of water, the amount of athletics in a region, and other sweat generating factors.

“Using updated criteria as well as data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, we looked at a range of environmental factors to pinpoint ‘hot spots’ across the country,” said Dr. Ted Myatt, ScD. “The study factored in the average summer temperatures of each city and proximity to large bodies of water. Fitness and recreational sports facilities, as well as sports teams per capita were also considered for the rankings, knowing that more frequent exercise and crowded sporting events lead to a city’s overall sweatiness.”

So where are the sweatiest places to live? Based on their expert ranking, below is a list of the top ten sweatiest U.S. cities:

1.    Charlotte, N.C.
2.    Raleigh, N.C.
3.    St. Louis, Mo.
4.    Austin, Texas
5.    Richmond, Va.
6.    Miami, Fla.
7.    Minneapolis, Minn.
8.    Orlando, Fla.
9.    Tampa, Fla.
10.  Kansas City, Mo.

Sweaty or not, Charlotte is still one of the best cities to live in in the world!

Please share; 

What To See And Do When Traveling To Charlotte With Kids

Well known for their family-friendly reputation, Charlotte is the ideal place to travel with kids in tow. There are numerous parks, museums, aquariums, and many other areas where you will find plenty to do if you happen to take your entire family with you. There are even things to do for your toddler, so no age group is overlooked. 1. Discovery Place – an interactive museum If you are interested in a type of activity that also promotes learning, there is no easier choice than this. Discovery Place is a museum oriented toward science and tech, and one of the greatest things about it is that its interactivity. The hands-on exhibits and many live shows will make everyone’s day, not only the children’s. 2. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden – a heaven for orchids There are plenty of botanical gardens to choose from, but there is one that seems to be ideal when compared to others if it’s fun for the entire family you’re seeking. The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden stretches over 380 acres of land, and it offers fantastic opportunities for explorations. Your kids will love it, and, in your peregrinations, don’t forget to visit the orchid observatory, which has hundreds of flowers for visitors to admire. 3. Carolina Raptor Center – meeting wild animals Kids are usually fascinated with wild animals, and the Carolina Raptor Center is one of the best places where they can get acquainted with various birds of prey. Injured raptors, as well as orphan birds, are housed here, and kids can learn about them firsthand. 4. Funtasticks Charlotte – for fun at the maximum No matter how fun learning about plants, birds, or tech may be, your kids need some time to play. If that’s what you have in mind, Funtasticks Charlotte is the place to go. Featuring a plethora of games for them to choose from, this place has everything, from a kid’s point of view, including miniature golf, go-karts, and bumper boats, to name a few. 5. Carowinds – the scariest rollercoasters In case your kids are old enough for thrill rides, there is hardly a better option than Carowinds, where you will find a gigantic rollercoaster rightfully named Fury 325, as it features the highest drop in existence. Another option is the Carolina Goldrusher, a mine train model made with steel and wood that made its debut in 1973. 6. Splash parks – on hot summer days With so many parks featuring spray grounds, Charlotte residents can’t complain that they don’t have means to cool off in the summer. If you travel here during summer, don’t hesitate to let your kids have some fun by using these spray grounds that are very popular with tourists and locals alike on the hottest days. In case you’re looking for the most popular, the one at Veterans’ Park seems to be the number one choice. 7. ImaginOn – for active learning In case your kids want to read a good book, the public library system in Charlotte is a great place to start since it’s completely free. ImagiOn is considered across the US to be the best library for kids and teenagers, so that could be your destination of choice. With two theaters on site, ImaginOn offers other types of entertainment, too. 8. 7th Street Public Market – for delicious foods While in Charlotte, don’t forget that here is where you can indulge in some delicious meals with your kids. The 7th Street Public Market is ideal for families, as you can have here some great pizza, or get some locally famous grilled cheese sandwiches. Pancakes and coffee are on the menu, too.

Charlotte Bank Robber Arrested With The Help of CMPD Helicopter

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Yesterday afternoon a Charlotte bank robber was put behind bars after a quick response by CMPD’s helicopter and K-9 units.

Yesterday afternoon, at about 2:30pm, officers responded to a bank robbery at the East Blvd. PNC branch.

According to police, the suspect entered the bank, told an employee he had a bomb and demanded cash. When the employee saw a device he was wearing, she gave him cash and he escaped on foot.

CMPD’s helicopter unit then spotted him at a nearby Shell Gas Station where 2 Providence Division Officers arrested him without incident.

The man confessed to robbing the bank and told police where he hid the device he showed the bank employee. CMPD’s bomb squad found the device and determined that it was an inert object that was made to look like a bomb.

The man’s name has not yet been released.

Charlotte Jumped To The 16th Largest City In The Nation – One Spot Behind San Francisco

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According to new Census Population Estimates, Charlotte is now the 16th largest and the 5th fastest growing city in the nation.

Charlotte’s jump to the 16th largest city (with a population of 872,498) is big news, considering that we’ve been stuck at the 17th spot for the past 4 years. We’re now about 5,000 residents bigger than Indianapolis and about 5,000 residents smaller than San Francisco.

The South and West were shown to have the highest growth figures for the past 12 months. The top 15 fastest growing cities included 8 in the South and 6 in the West. The top 5 were; Phoenix, Ariz. (25,288 increase), San Antonio, Texas (20,824 increase), Fort Worth, Texas (19,552 increase), Seattle, Wash. (15,354 increase), and Charlotte, N.C. (13,151 increase).

Census estimates also saw the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metro area move up from the 24th largest to the 23rd largest in the nation since 2010, fueled largely by our massive suburb growth.

Fort Mill was our metro’s fastest-growing town, with a 13.2% annual growth rate, which was over double the rate of the next 3 fastest growing towns, including Waxhaw, Tega Cay, and Clover.

What do you think about our city’s new ranking and continued growth?

Top Freelancing Opportunities for Charlotte Professionals

Touted as the fastest emerging business hub in the country, Charlotte has provided plenty of opportunities to its 800,000 plus residents, including young professionals who want to forge success as freelancers. However, freelancing isn’t always an easy path to take. It has its fair share of challenges, especially the fact that the local talent pool has been consistently growing.

Finding success as a freelancer has to involve a lot of research in the face of competition. And while hard work, resourcefulness, and creativity are the core traits you need to survive, it’s the choice of a freelancing job that delivers success.

Let’s take a look at the best freelancing stints in Charlotte that young adults can take on.

1.  Graphic design

There’s a consistent demand for graphic design professionals in North Carolina and elsewhere in the United States. Indeed, content is still king, and businesses are investing heavily in creating an effective brand presence through visual storytelling. This could explain the growing need for creatives. If you’re planning to enter the graphic design market, you will need to identify a niche and develop a portfolio from there. If you specialize in creating brochures and other marketing material for the healthcare industry, for instance, you will need to create sample work related to this niche, such as infographics.

2. Virtual assistant

As the real estate market begins to bounce back from a disastrous crisis over a decade ago, we are seeing spikes in home sales, particularly in emerging markets such as Charlotte. For this reason, realtors will have to work extra hard to acquire clients without focusing too much on tedious and repetitive processes. Hiring virtual assistants can help them in dealing with time-consuming activities, which is why more people are shifting to this relatively new sector in freelancing. Virtual assistants handle a variety of real estate-related tasks such as transaction coordination and listings management. These could be learned quickly, so it wouldn’t be too much of a challenge to make it as a virtual assistant.

3. Blogging

Blogs are among the most sought-after channels that businesses use to promote their products and services. With Google changing its search algorithm to favor quality blogs, companies are investing heavily in searching for skilled writers who can help them position their brands online and provide value to clients. Charlotte alone has a vibrant creative environment, which makes it an ideal place for you to nurture your blog writing skills and build your reputation in the field.

4. Consultancy

As the number of startups continues to rise, we can expect more and more entrepreneurs to seek consultancy services that will drive their growth. Sure enough, this niche has also nurtured a firm footing in the city. Planning to set up as a freelance consultant? You may need to look for office space in Charlotte and build a website and social media presence so you can properly market yourself to your target audience.

Freelancing is a great way to earn an income without having to engage in a high-stress office environment. Once you have chosen the right stint for you, it’ll be easier for you to maintain and succeed no matter how competitive the freelancing market in Charlotte becomes.