Ric Flair Makes Losing Your Money Fun

I saw this commercial for the first time last night. But apparently the Ric Flair-endorsed "Wooooooo!" instant scratch-off tickets have been offered by the North Carolina Education Lottery for a couple of months now. A ticket costs $5 and the top prize is $100,000. Whoever came up with the idea to make Flair the lottery's new pitchman and to give him his own lotto ticket should be applauded. Flair has the kind of energy that will keep people excited about buying lottery tickets, even though most of them are throwing their money away.

I only play the lottery about once a year, when the Power Ball reaches some ridiculous amount. Other than that, I don't really keep up with it, which is probably why I'm late to the party about Flair's new involvement. Click here for more info on the Wooooooo! instant scratch-off. See a video of the commercial below.



In other Ric Flair news, he got married a couple of weeks ago in Charlotte. It's his fourth marriage. The 60-year-old wrestler is currently on the Hulkamania tour.

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Events for the Weekend: November 27-29

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.

Friday, November 27

Frolic
Talk of the Town, the group that brought you the long-running, popular Friday Afterwork Rendezvous, has a new event it hosts on the second and fourth Friday of the month. Mingle with young professionals while enjoying great music by DJ DR. And this week features a performance by the all-female band Blac Catt. 8 p.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.

Kickin It on the Southside
Digital Divas presents this new weekly Friday night event for those who live or want to party in south Charlotte. Enjoy drink specials and a DJ spinning hip-hop and R&B. 10 p.m. Free. On the Roxx, 14021 Conlan Circle (Ballantyne). www.ontheroxx.com.

One Night Stand
It’s billed as a grown and sexy crunk party, which is an interesting combination. Featuring $5 Crown Royal, cosmos, and martinis. 10 p.m. Free till midnight; wear all black and get in free all night. Kiss Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. www.kisscharlotte.com.

Black Friday - Homecoming Edition
The popular trio of party promoters have gotten together for an event that’s sure to draw a large crowd. Presented by The A-List, BlueGoose, and Sol Kitchen. 10 p.m. $10 and up. Blue Restaurant and Bar, 214 N. Tryon St. (corner of Fifth and College streets). www.thesolkitchen.com or www.alistnc.com.

Soul Night
It’s a night out at one of Charlotte’s most exclusive nightclubs. Music by 92.7’s Stacey Blackman. 10 p.m. Cost varies. Sunset Club, 1820 South Blvd. www.soulnightcharlotte.com.

Saturday, November 28

Beards BeCAUSE
Drink for a good cause, and enjoy specials all night like $4 Skyy Vodka. Proceeds will benefit United Family Services, a shelter for battered women. 8 p.m. Donations appreciated. Town Tavern, 200 N. Tryon St. www.towntaverncharlotte.com.

PlayDate Charlotte
Bring out the kid in you. Enjoy music and drinks while playing card games, checkers, dominoes, Connect Four, Twister, Monopoly, old-school video games, and more. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $10. Tyvola Marriott, 5700 Westpark Dr. www.playdatecharlotte.com.

Marquee Saturdays (weekly event)
It’s Charlotte’s hottest Saturday night party. Enjoy the large dance floor, plentiful seating, and outdoor patio. 9 p.m. Cost varies. Halo, inside the N.C. Music Factory, 820 Hamilton St. www.haloclt.com.

Sunday, November 29

Special Blend (weekly event)
This group presents genres of artistry, music, and humor. Experience it while relaxing in a trendy lounge. Music by DJ Justice. 7-11 p.m. Free. PJ’s Coffee & Lounge, 210 E. Trade St. (inside the EpiCentre). www.pjscharlotte.com.

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King James and Shaq Party in the Carolinas

The Charlotte Bobcats play the Cleveland Cavaliers at home Friday. A Friday night game against a visiting team with superstars is one of the few times a year the Bobcats potentially have a sellout. For every fan that will be at the game to cheer on the Bobcats Friday, there will be at least one who came to see LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

Speaking of the King and the Diesel, the two of them are coming to town the night before to celebrate Thanksgiving night with us Southerners. LeBron is hosting a party Thursday night at Club 935. This is nothing new for King James, though. The Cavs play in Charlotte twice a year, and almost every time you'll find LeBron's name as top billing on some club flyer (last December he hosted First Fridays at NV Nightclub and Lounge, which has since been renamed Synergy). He always shows up, too.


Well King James must have told his new sidekick that hosting parties is a lot of fun because Shaq is getting in on it tomorrow night as well. But apparently Charlotte isn't big enough for the two of them to host a party here on the same night. So Shaq is taking over Columbia, S.C. He's going to be the man of the night at Tabu Asian Ultra Lounge (click here for party details).


Yeah girl, there's going to be some ballers at the club.

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10 Things Sarah Palin Said to Billy Graham

Sarah Palin made a stop in Montreat yesterday to have dinner with the Rev. Billy Graham and his son, Franklin Graham. Franklin invited Palin when he realized she would be in the area. She's visiting Fort Bragg in Fayetteville today during a stop on her book signing tour for Going Rogue.


An article on CharlotteObserver.com today describes the two-and-a-half hour meeting between Palin and the Grahams, which included dinner with several of Palin's family members. Numerous media outlets are reporting on the meeting, and of course the blogosphere is adding its two cents. No commentary would be complete without mentioning that Billy Graham has counseled and/or befriended every U.S. president in recent memory--President Obama called him earlier this month and the two plan to meet in the near future. So the buzz is on whether Palin's visit to the home of the 91-year-old Charlotte-born evangelist is her checking off another prerequisite toward a 2012 run for presidency.

I say nah, don't read that much into it. It made perfect sense for the two to meet yesterday, with Palin being so close by. But the reasons for meeting aside, what I would like to offer here is my (fictional) account of "Ten Things Sarah Palin Said to Billy Graham" during their meeting.

• Can I call you Billy?


• Don't worry; they said John McCain was too old also.


• No, I'm not the governor anymore.


• I'm signing books at Fort Bragg because we should support our troops.


• Are you on Facebook?


• I love it here in the lower 48.


• Also, too.


• How come it's called North Carolina when this is the South?


• What was Ronald Reagan like in person?


• Yes, I pray every night. I pray that God helps us take back our country.

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9th Wonder to Lead Music Program at Barber-Scotia

AllHipHop.com posted an exclusive article yesterday about music producer 9th Wonder being tapped to lead a music program at Barber-Scotia College in Concord. The North Carolina native, who's produced songs for a wide range of artists including Jay-Z, De La Soul, Erykah Badu, and his former group Little Brother, will develop the 9th Wonder Center for Music and Entrepreneurial Studies. He says he'll be in charge of developing programs and courses of study as well as selecting faculty.


Barber-Scotia began as a female seminary in 1867 and became a college in 1916. But the future of the now co-ed HBCU is in jeopardy since it lost its accreditation in 2004. By losing its accreditation, students were no longer eligible for federal financial aid, causing enrollment to drop from 600 in 2004 to fewer than 100 the following school year. Today, there are just 20 full-time students enrolled.

The college has begun the process for re-accreditation and hopes to be approved in the spring. 9th Wonder has a big challenge ahead of him, but I think it will be an exciting opportunity for both him and future students. He was one of the first people I interviewed for Grown People Talking when I launched this site ("GPT Interviews 9th Wonder"). If you've ever read or seen any of his interviews then you know he's a very intelligent musician who is passionate about preserving and progressing hip-hop culture.

Click here to read the article on AllHipHop.com.

And 9th Wonder won't be alone in his efforts to help revive Barber Scotia. Singer Monica signed on last spring as honorary chairperson to help raise funds for the Faithful Promise campaign. Click here if you would like to contribute. And below is a video message from Monica asking the public to get involved.

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Video from Flash Mob in Huntersville

There was a flash mob held at Birkdale Village in Huntersville on Saturday. It was organized by Terry Vaughan of High Intensity Teambuilding, and choreographer Ian Burke. An estimated 2,000 people showed up to dance to the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling." Vaughan had posted a video of the dance routine on YouTube a few weeks prior, so most of the crowd knew the moves. It was sort of cool. They mobbed, but didn't really flash--they didn't disperse right after.

See the video below of Saturday's flash mob.



UNC Charlotte students held a cool flash rave last December to celebrate the end of final exams. It was less organized and more chaotic, but that's what made it so entertaining. Click here for "UNCC Students 'Rave' Over End of Finals."

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Gamecocks Support Troops Against Gators

Today when my South Carolina Gamecocks host the No. 1 ranked Florida Gators in Columbia, our proud Garnet and Black will be accentuated with camouflage and other special touches to honor military veterans and promote the Wounded Warrior Project.

The black with tan camouflage uniforms, designed by Under Armour, will have a Wounded Warrior logo on them. And instead of players' names, the backs of the jerseys will have words such as courage, loyalty, integrity, and service. The players will also wear camouflage cleats.


The Wounded Warrior Project acts as an advocate for injured service men and women and provides services and programs for them. It's only fitting that USC would support this cause since its campus is only 15 miles from Fort Jackson, the Army's largest training base.

The Maryland Terrapins are also participating in the Wounded Warrior Project and will wear special uniforms today in their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Some jerseys will be auctioned off after the games on the university websites, with all of the money being donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. You can also purchase specially designed T-shirts and polos.

For more details, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org, and click here to shop for apparel on the Under Armour website.

Click here for the Gamecocks athletics website. And be sure to tune in to CBS at 3:30 p.m. to watch the nationally televised game. I'm pulling for an upset, and you should too--support our troops! ;)

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Events for the Weekend: November 13-15

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.

Friday, November 13

Prowl Pep Rally
Come out and celebrate with other Carolina Panthers fans in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Atlanta Falcons. Enjoy free appetizers, happy hour drink specials, and there will be chances to win tickets to the game. 5-9 p.m. Free. BlackFinn (inside the EpiCentre), 210 E. Trade St. www.blackfinncharlotte.com.

Loïs Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color
Get this "First Look" of this exhibit before it opens tomorrow. The exhibit features a collection of paintings, textiles, and sketches that span the nearly 75 year career of this pioneering African-American artist, Ms. Jones. The evening will feature a jazz trio and performances by the Queens University Chamber Singers and Johnson C. Smith University Choir. There will also be a brief lecture by Barry Gaither. 6-9 p.m. $10 (free for Mint members). Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Rd. www.mintmuseum.org/first-look-friday.html.

Frolic
Talk of the Town, the group that brought you the long-running, popular Friday Afterwork Rendezvous, has a new event it’s hosting on the second and fourth Friday of the month. Mingle with young professionals while enjoying great music by DJ DR. 8 p.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.

Kickin It on the Southside
Digital Divas presents this new weekly Friday night event for those who live or want to party in south Charlotte. Enjoy drink specials and a DJ spinning hip-hop and R&B. 10 p.m. Free. On the Roxx, 14021 Conlan Circle (Ballantyne). www.ontheroxx.com.

Black Friday
For Friday the 13th it’s all black everything: black clothes, black shoes, black cards, 1800 Black tequila, and even black carpet leading to the club. Black attire preferred. 10 p.m. Free before 11:30 p.m.; cost varies after. Kiss Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. www.kisscharlotte.com.

Saturday, November 14

Fashion with a Conscience
Joseph’s House of Threads and Amped-4-A-Cure invite you to an evening of fashion, including a reception and silent auction. Proceeds will benefit Amped-4-A-Cure and the American Cancer Society. 6-11 p.m. RSVP at 800-890-5563 or jhthreads@eventfantasies.com. Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Rd. www.amped4acure.org.

Fight Party: Pacquiao vs. Cotto
Watch the fight at this intimate lounge. Plenty of drink specials, including $2 Bud Light, $3 Heineken, and $6 martinis. Sound for the fight will be on, and a DJ will play after. 7 p.m. $5 before 9 p.m.; $10 after. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.

Robbie Hardkiss
If you like house music, you’ll love this night with the legendary DJ. And it’s being held at one of Charlotte’s newest and trendiest lounges. 9 p.m. $5. Dharma Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St., Suite 105 (facing Summit Avenue). www.dharmacharlotte.com.

Sunday, November 15

Special Blend (weekly event)
Special Blend presents genres of artistry, music, visual, and humor in the spirit of good times and good people. Experience it while relaxing in a posh lounge. Music by DJ Justice. 7-11 p.m. Free. PJ’s Coffee & Lounge, 210 E. Trade St. (inside the EpiCentre). www.pjscharlotte.com.

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The Sex Toy Charlotte Is Offering the World

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Read About It: Ten Years After Rae Carruth Became Infamous

November 16, 2009 marks 10 years since Rae Carruth had his pregnant girlfriend Cherica Adams shot during a planned drive-by shooting as the two left a south Charlotte movie theater. Carruth was just 25 years old and was a promising wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers. Adams was 24, and even though she was riddled with bullets she managed to tell police that she believed her boyfriend had arranged the shooting, and she gave birth to a son, born 10 weeks premature. Adams died four weeks later.

You can relive what took place that night in 1999, along with what followed a year later when the infamous "Rae Carruth Trial" got underway, and what has evolved over the past decade. In the cover story of this week's issue of Creative Loafing (Nov. 11-17), I chronicle Carruth's life behind bars, how he and Adam's son Chancellor is about to be 10 years old and is being raised by Adam's mother, and how so many lives were forever changed by such a senseless murder. The issue of Creative Loafing is on newsstands now, or you can read the article online, "Remembering Infamy: The life and crimes of Rae Carruth — 10 years later."


I was in college at USC in Columbia when the murder and subsequent trial took place. I remember watching the trial play out on CourtTV. The cable network would re-air the day's testimony at night. At times, it was more entertaining, suspenseful, and drama-filled than anything you might see fictionalized on Law and Order. Charlotte had become home to a media circus.

But when I was researching and doing interviews for this article, I took on a whole new perspective of the events. I was reminded of the harsh realities that a young woman lost her life. That a young man lost his professional football career and freedom. That a child suffers from cerebral palsy from having been delivered too soon and now doesn't know either of his parents.

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Free Stuff for Veterans -- In Charlotte and Beyond

Charlotte (and the nation) is showing love to our military service men and women in honor of Veterans Day. Even though the holiday is this Wednesday, November 11, there are specials going on throughout the week. Here are a few that GPT has learned of, and I got the idea to put this list together after talking to an old friend.

One of my childhood friends from South Carolina visited Charlotte today and he paid me a visit while in town. We were chilling at the crib when he mentioned that after he left my house he was going to the Charlotte Bobcats box office because they're giving away two tickets to tomorrow's (Tuesday) home game against the Orlando Magic. I told Caleb, who served in the Army for a few years after high school, that I hadn't heard anything about the ticket giveaway. But sure enough, at about 5:30 p.m. he was calling me as he was leaving the box office at Time Warner Cable arena saying he'd picked up his two free tickets. And he said "they're pretty good seats."


If you're a veteran or active duty, you can pick up your tickets by showing proof of service (military ID card, DD214 form, military orders, etc.). The box office opens at 10 a.m. Tuesday and will be open through the start of the game, which begins at 7 p.m. Call the box office at 704-688-9000 if you have any questions. I didn't see any info about the giveaway on the Bobcats website, www.bobcats.com.

There are also some sweet food deals for veterans.

Applebee's nationwide is offering a free entree to all veterans and active duty military personnel on Wednesday. There are several ways you can show proof of eligibility to obtain your free meal: U.S. Uniform Services ID card, current leave and earnings statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), photograph in uniform, wearing uniform, DD214, citation, or commendation.


There are 12 Applebee's locations in the Charlotte area, including Concord, Matthews, Pineville, Gastonia, and Rock Hill. Click here for more information on the Veterans Day special.

Also on Wednesday:

Wolfman Pizza, a Charlotte-based, California-Style pizza restaurant with four area locations, is offering 50 percent off your meal if you're a veteran or active duty. If you like 'em hot and sweet, Krispy Kreme is giving a free donut to our brave men and women (click here). Veterans and active duty personnel can get a free Bloomin’ Onion and a drink at Outback Steakhouse. Click here for more details.

The food love is even spilling into next week. On Monday, November 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Golden Corral is holding its Military Appreciation Monday Dinner. Get your free meal, and visit www.goldencorral.com/military for more details.

The big-box stores are getting into the spirit as well.

Mooresville-based Lowe's Home Improvement is honoring Veterans Day at its more than 1,600 stores nationwide. Through Saturday, people from the active duty ranks, reservists, honorably discharged, and retired military men and women with valid identification or proof of service are eligible to receive a special 10 percent discount on in-store and special order purchases up to $5,000.

On Veterans Day only, Sam’s Club locations nationwide will be giving away 25,000 Hugo canes free of charge to military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities per location and available only while supplies last. You don't have to be a Sam’s Club member, but proof of military service is required. Visit www.hugosalutes.com.

If you know of any special offer that I've missed, feel free to post it in the comments section. And if you go get one of these freebies, come back and post your experience in the comments as well.

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Maybe BofA Should Use TheLadders

Over the past 24 hours, and particularly this morning, news of Bank of America's search for a CEO to replace the retiring Ken Lewis has been dominating business news websites and the blogosphere. Apparently the job isn't very appealing to some of the top-notch executives who BofA is going after. Maybe they should use TheLadders for their job search ("$100k+ jobs for $100k+ people"). Ranging from speculation to confirmed reports, the latest news suggests that when BofA announces its new CEO, which is expected to come next week, that man (wouldn't you be surprised if it was a woman?) likely won't already be living here in Charlotte and probably won't be required to move here. That in itself has opened the door to a whole new realm of speculation.


I've selected a few news and blog links below.

Bank of America’s Next Chief May Be Based in New York. Bloomberg

BofA CEO may be based outside Charlotte. Reuters

Bank of America's next chief could be based in the Big Apple. Daily Finance (AOL)

Nobody Wants To Lead Bank Of America. DealBreaker

The Dowager City: Next BofA Chief May Quit Charlotte. DealBreaker

BNY Mellon CEO Kelly Tells BofA: No, Thanks. The Wall Street Journal

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Vote Tomorrow...Even Though Obama's Not Running

Tuesday is an important election for local government. Decide who's going to be Charlotte's next mayor, who's going to be on your city council, and who's going to run you kids' school board.


The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Visit www.charlotteobserver.com/politics for everything you need to know about candidates and voting locations.

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