Berens's the 'Butt' of Jokes and News

CNN reporter Jeanne Moos is known for her humorous takes on news stories. And Charlotte swimmer Ricky Berens is the subject of her latest report, which I saw on air this morning.Berens is one of three Charlotte swimmmers currently competing in the FINA World Championships in Rome. I blogged about their qualifying a couple of weeks ago ("3 Charlotte Swimmers to Compete In Rome"). On Sunday while preparing to swim in a qualifying heat of the 4x100-meter relay freestyle, Berens bent over and the back of his swimsuit tore. At the moment, he has the...

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Free Domino's Pizza for the Unemployed

If you've lost your job, as so many people have during this recession (Charlotte's unemployment rate is now at 12.4 percent), maybe some free pizza will help bring a smile to your face. Domino's Pizza in Charlotte is giving away 270 free pizza gift cards and four tickets to American Idol Live. The pizza place invites those with unemployment letters or verification of unemployment to stop by one of the two selected Charlotte Domino's locations to receive a $15 gift card. Each Charlotte location will have 135 gift cards and the first 135 eligible...

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Wayne and Jeezy Concert, Panthers Games

Tickets to two popular Charlotte events are going on sale. The America's Most Wanted Music Festival is coming to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on Friday, September 4 (Labor Day weekend). The show stars Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Soulja Boy, Drake, and Jeremih. Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. at www.livenation.com and prices range from $29 to $79.The other big ticket sales event takes place Saturday, August 1 at 10 a.m. That's when about 7,000 single-game...

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Events for the Week: July 20-26

Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. This isn’t intended to be a complete list of everything that's going on, but instead are the events GPT recommends.Wednesday, July 22Pop Life (weekly event)It’s the most popular social networking event on a Wednesday night. Starts after work but runs late. Varying types of people pop in and out throughout the night so you never know who you’ll run into. Music this week by DJ Technics. Presented by Creative Loafing and The Sol Kitchen. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Apostrophe...

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Is Elizabeth 'Falling Fast'?

Between going to a couple of networking events and a board meeting this week, there have been a few instances when this economic recession has been the subject of conversation. But that, unfortunately, has become as common as talking about the weather. The focus usually shifts from unemployment to budget cuts to the housing market. And it was the talks about the housing market that reminded me to post this link to an article I'd come across a few...

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The Four Horsemen to Reunite in Charlotte

I grew up a wrestling fan, but started to lose interest around the age of 13. Still, this is pretty exciting news. The Four Horsemen are reuniting in Charlotte.Led by superstar wrestler and Charlotte's favorite hometown celebrity, Ric Flair, the Four Horsemen will reunite for the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend, being held August 6-9 at the Hilton University Place Hotel. The original group of Flair, Ole Anderson, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard,...

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Events for the Week: July 13-19

Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. This isn’t intended to be a complete list of everything that's going on, but instead are the events GPT recommends.Wednesday, July 15Jazz on the RoofThe Charlotte Chamber’s Black Professionals Network (BPN) is hosting its annual Jazz on the Roof event, featuring special guest Warren Ballentine, CNN commentator and Radio One host. Ballentine, whose syndicated radio show airs weekdays on Q92.7, will sign copies of his new book. The event will also include networking,...

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Carolina Panthers Player Pimped His Ride Then It Was Stolen

The pimped-out, souped-up 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Classic owned by Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was stolen over the weekend from in front of his southeast Charlotte home. With the many customizations Davis had done to the car, the two-door convertible is valued at more than $135,000.Owning expensive cars is something of a requirement for professional athletes. But I must also note that Davis isn't your typical, frivolous big baller....

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3 Charlotte Swimmers to Compete In Rome

Ricky Berens, Mark Gangloff, and Cullen Jones are among the male swimmers who will represent the U.S. at the FINA World Championships (2009 World Aquatics Championships), being held July 17 to August 2 in Rome. The swimmers qualified after competing in the USA Swimming National Championships in Indianapolis during the past week.Berens is a Charlotte native who is a student and member of the swim team at the University of Texas. He grew up swimming...

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Charlotte Restaurant Week—and a Half

The third installment of the popular Charlotte Restaurant Week will run for 10 days, beginning Friday, July 10 and ending Sunday, July 19, which means it covers two full weekends. There's also a new high of 71 participating restaurants for this run, known as “Queen’s Feast: Summer 2009.” During Charlotte Restaurant Week, restaurants--many of them upscale--offer a prix fixe, three-course dinner for $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity)....

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Make a 'Summer' Video, Win a Party

The U.S. National Whitewater Center has launched "The Endless Summer" video contest, encouraging you to submit videos and photos of your best adventures at the Whitewater Center. The grand prize winner will receive a private party on Saturday, August 29 at the center for him or her and 10 friends with food and refreshments. The party will also include AllSport passes for the winner and guests to enjoy the activities--kayaking, rafting, rock climbing,...

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Events for the Week: July 6-12

Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. This isn’t intended to be a complete list of everything that's going on, but instead are the events GPT recommends. Wednesday, July 8Pop Life (weekly event)It’s the most popular social networking event on a Wednesday night. Starts after work but runs past midnight. This week’s installment features “Mixed Media,” a special invite to members of the media and includes free hors d’oeuvres (6-9 p.m.). Music includes a listening party for Maxwell’s new CD. Presented...

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He Was Doing The Naked Man

Federal authorities are trying to determine why a man took off all of his clothes on a flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles yesterday. The flight was diverted to New Mexico where the 50-year-old man was arrested. But they should've given the poor guy a break--he was simply doing "The Naked Man." I only recently learned what The Naked Man is from a hilarious episode of How I Met Your Mother that I saw last week.Click here to learn more about The Naked Man. And watch the video below of a newscast about the naked guy on yesterday's fligh...

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