Guess Who I Saw at the Airport?

I was at JFK yesterday getting ready to fly back to CLT when I ran into Tiger Woods. I managed to take a photo with the elusive Tiger.

Another Year for Cracked Crowns

One of my favorite year-end lists has been published in the January issue of Charlotte magazine. The 2009 Cracked Crowns recap the year's dumbest and most dubious events in Charlotte. I've had the honor of being one of the contributing writers of the list for the past five years and not only is it fun to write, but it's also intriguing to be reminded of just how much can transpire over the course of a year.


I think my favorite Cracked Crown this year is the one about the two local Domino Pizza workers who videotaped themselves doing disgusting things with food and even more idiotically posted the video on YouTube. If you'll recall, that story made national headlines. Read about that and more by clicking here.

Ric Flair: Not Your Same Old Song and Dance

Ric Flair is one of my favorite Charlotteans to blog about. Even though he's now 60 years old and "retired" from wrestling, he's still popular with a generation of fans who weren't born yet when he was in his hey. And for those who are 80s babies like me, memories of Ric Flair represent a golden era. Now he's being immortalized in hip-hop.

There's a song titled "Ric Flair" by rapper Lil Cali and featuring Young Dro. It was actually released over the summer, but is starting to pick up a little speed. It's not the best rap song in the world, but it's sort of catchy (what isn't these days?) and Dro delivers with a witty, punchline-heavy verse as usual. And what I like about the track is that it plays it cool, and isn't overdone like B-Hamp's "Do the Ricky Bobby," which received entirely too much radio and video play a year ago.

"Ric Flair on em" is repeated in the chorus, as is the wrestler's signature "wooooooo." And there's a dance that goes along with it, but it's pretty simple--just rocking side to side in a sort of two-step with your hands out to the side.

Listen to "Ric Flair" below.

Stephen Jackson Does Good

Stephen Jackson was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats exactly one month ago yesterday and he's already helped make them a better team as they've reached 10 wins faster than at any point in team history. And Jackson is showing he wants to help make his new community a better one as well.

The 6'8" forward came strutting into the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center around 4 p.m. today to meet and greet young fans at the event he sponsored. His homeboy and rapper Bun B had already been walking around taking photos and chopping it up with fans and Jackson joined in as well (he and Bun B are both from Port Arthur, Texas).

Jackson had purchased dozens of sweater hats and gloves to be given away, while staff from the Bobcats (including mascot Rufus) were on hand to distribute posters, T-shirts, and vouchers for free tickets to Saturday's home game against the Utah Jazz. Jackson spoke briefly about why he feels it's important to give back and that he appreciates how Charlotte has embraced him.

I captured a few photos with my camera phone.

PJ's Coffee and Lounge Is Closing

I just got word that PJ's Coffee and Lounge is going out of business soon. I find this surprising, because just about every time I've been there or passed by, it's had a good-sized, if not packed, crowd. But come to think of it, those were always night times. If I had to venture a guess, I would think that PJ's struggled with dayside business. It would open at 6:30 a.m. during the week to capture the breakfast crowd and coffee drinkers en route to work. But while the EpiCentre is a magnet for nightlife, I can't see it drawing many people during the morning and lunchtime hours. With PJ's being open as many as 20 hours a day, they would literally need customers coming in around the clock.


PJ's Coffee and Lounge opened in October 2008, and I wrote about it a few months later in Charlotte magazine ("Night, Joe"). It's a trendy bar that takes on a cool vibe once night strikes, and it became a favorite of mine at the EpiCentre as a good place to stop and hang for about an hour in between bar hopping. But I soon replaced it for that purpose with w xyz bar inside the aloft Hotel, which is also at the EpiCentre.

Even PJ's once-jazzy website is now parked by GoDaddy, and that's never a good sign.

Eat Here Now (and Blog Here Now)

I'm eating at Eat Here Now in Ayrsley Town Center and using my phone to test out the mobile blogging feature through Blogger. My food has just arrived. I ordered the Carolina Classic burger with sweet potato fries, and the sweet tea is really good. This restaurant is sorta cool. It's been open for a couple of years and my waiter said they renovated it back in April. Now it resembles a 1950s era diner, complete with a jukebox (though satellite radio is playing right now). Okay, Andrea is giving me the eye. Time to stop typing and start eating.

Events for the Weekend: December 11-13

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, December 11

Party for NEXTAID
This charity event is in recognition of World Aids Day and all proceeds will go toward the creation of an ecological multipurpose facility for the Kawangware Street Children and Youth Project in Nairobi, Kenya. Sounds by house music DJ Mr. V. 9 p.m. $10 donation suggested. Dharma Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St., Suite 105 (entrance faces W. Summit Ave). www.dharmacharlotte.com.

5th Annual Red and Black Affair
Your best red and black attire is requested at this annual holiday party that draws hundreds of young professionals each year. VIP and bottle service will be available. Presented by CharlotteVibe and Six Figure Entertainment. 10 p.m. $10 in advance; more at the door. The Sunset Club, 1820 South Blvd. www.charlottevibe.com.

Kickin It on the Southside (weekly event)
Digital Divas presents this weekly Friday night event for those who live or want to party in south Charlotte. Enjoy a great crowd, 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.

Saturday, December 12

3rd Annual Queen City Awards
This year’s ceremony will present 26 awards in a variety of music and entertainment categories including: R&B group/band of the year, rock group/band of the year, country group/band of the year, and even a Poetry in Motion award. Hosted by Big Pat and Melinda Medina. QCA will also honor the life of the late Nate Quick, and will donate a portion of proceeds to Amped 4-A-Cure. Doors open 5:30 p.m.; show starts 6:30 p.m. Cost varies. Skandolos, 5317 Independence Blvd. www.queencityawards.com.

One Love Fest: Unity of Art and Music
This event will feature a performance by reggae act Middle Passage X, as well as spoken word via open mike, arts and crafts, and art on display by local and visiting artists. A portion of the proceeds will go to Toys for Tots and domestic violence victims. Presented by The Art House; sponsored by Pynk Chocolate Events, JazzUndaground, and The W.E. Foundation, Inc. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. $15-$20. The Art House, 3103 Cullman Ave. www.pynkchocolateevents.com.

Swank!
Talk of the Town is promising a stylish night out, featuring live music by Uptown Swagga, DJ Shogun on the turntables, and a 2010 fashion preview with styles by Frederick LaMont. The attire is swanky. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to 25 Dreams Foundation, a suicide prevention organization. 9:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. $15. Grand Central, 1000 Central Avenue. www.talkofthetownent.com.

Holiday Nouveau
It’s a party at Ballantyne’s posh movie theater. Complimentary wine and champagne served in VIP. Music by DJ Paradime. Suggested dress code is “cosmopolitan.” Presented by The A List. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. $15 and up. Ballantyne Village Theater, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way. www.alistnextevent.com.

Sunday, December 13

Special Blend (weekly event)
Special Blend presents genres of artistry, music, visual, and humor. Experience it while relaxing in a trendy lounge. Music by DJ Justice. 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Free. PJ’s Coffee & Lounge, 210 E. Trade St. (inside the EpiCentre). www.pjscharlotte.com.

8-Track Flash Back 70s Party
Celebrate this phenomenal era with music and themes from yesteryear. Come dressed in your best 70s ensembles and get down with the get down. 9:30 p.m. $10. Allure Lounge, 1508 S. Mint St. www.allurerestaurant.com.

The Peas Are Coming

I received an email this afternoon announcing that tickets to the Black Eyed Peas' February 20 concert in Charlotte go on sale this weekend. BEP are bringing their The E.N.D. World Tour to Time Warner Cable Arena, with special guests LMFAO.

Tickets go on presale tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Go to Ticketmaster and enter the password BEPEND. They go on sale to the general public Saturday at noon.


I somehow became a Black Eyed Peas fan a few years ago, and while it doesn't help my street cred to admit this, I think "I Gotta Feeling" is one of the best songs of 2009. Will.i.am is one of the most talented artists in all of music, and Fergie is dope (don't you chickens be jackin' her style, now). And here's a little known BEP trivia. Did you know that Nicole Scherzinger was originally tapped to fill the position in the group that Fergie holds? I wonder how much different the group would've been.

Tiger, Don't Come to SC; More Bad Timing

I'm beginning to think that I'm spending too much time following the Tiger Woods saga. It's kind of hard to avoid with it dominating most of the cable news cycles and celebrity and sports websites. Plus, I'm a huge Tiger Woods fan. He's the reason I began following golf and why I've spent many a Sunday afternoon stretched out on the couch watching the last round of a PGA tournament. In 2002, after I graduated college, I was hired by a magazine publisher in Augusta, Georgia. We published the annual Masters Tournament guide, so I learned more about golf--and Tiger--than I ever thought I'd care to know. But we've all come to realize that we didn't really know Tiger.

I'm not here to cast aspersions on Tiger Woods (though I've cracked a joke or two on Facebook), but I'm here to warn Tiger not to come to South Carolina this weekend. Several gossip websites, led by TMZ, are reporting that Tiger's best friend Bryon Bell is getting married this weekend in SC and Tiger is the best man. Obviously, these wedding plans were set into motion long before Tiger's sex scandal broke and a new alleged mistress started appearing every 1.5 days. In normal circumstances, I would've been all gung ho about the greatest golfer ever and most famous athlete on the planet visiting my home state.


But these aren't normal circumstances. And I seriously doubt that Tiger will keep his commitment to serve as best man. I mean really, what kind of toast would he give to the bride and groom? Besides, Bell might not want him there since he himself has been linked to the scandal as emails have surfaced of him making travel arrangements for one of Tiger's alleged mistresses. And it doesn't look good if a guy who's scheduled to be married is serving as the wing man for a married man to cheat.

This wedding is not good timing for Tiger because he's not ready to show his face (literally). Also bad timing is the January 2010 issue of Golf Digest. The leading golf mag has Tiger Woods on the cover with President Barack Obama, with the headline: "10 Tips Obama Can Take From Tiger." I bet Michelle Obama picked up a copy and was like "Oh hell no!"


Except this magazine issue had gone to press before Tiger crashed his car into a tree (and a bunch of ladies fell out). I write for magazines so I know how monthly mags have ridiculously long lead times (I've often said that if this print medium plans to survive it must find a way to shorten it), and this is one of the most unfortunate examples I've seen. Though the issue could turn out to be a big seller.

Better yet, what if Tiger did come to South Carolina this weekend? He could take that opportunity to meet with Governor Mark Sanford.

This Isn't CLT, but Happy Birthday Jay-Z!

The Greatest Rapper of All Time, King of New York, Young Hov, Lucky Lefty, Jigga, Jay-Z, Shawn Carter turns 40 today. And hopefully now the rest of hip-hop will grow up.

Roc4Life.com put together this great slideshow from the legendary-still-hottest-rapper-in-the-game's career. (Can you tell I'm a fan?)



I could recite any number of Jay-Z's lyrics, but the one that comes to mind is: "Being broke is childish and I'm quite grown." That's a 1997 throwback, evidence to how long he's been at the top of his game.

Now the owner of the 40/40 nightclubs is 40 himself. And he's got Beyonce to sing happy birthday to him. Makes getting old something to look forward to.

Help Bi-Lo Find a SpokesMILF

Bi-Lo is holding a casting call for a "Spokesmom" in the North Carolina/South Carolina area to be the face and voice of its advertising. The grocery store chain is seeking a lady who is "a great mom, able to juggle finances, busy schedules and meals; has a fun, outgoing personality; and would enjoy sharing her family life with shoppers."

It's a paying gig that might be just right for that former model who gave up a life of photoshoots and runways to settle down with a family. Or that attractive, do-it-all, Rachel Ray-esque mom you know of in your neighborhood--maybe she's even your wife.


I think Bi-Lo should've been a little more direct in what it's looking for. Put a call out there for a SpokesMILF! Now that'll get shoppers' attention and help the chain increase its market share on the Harris Teeters, Food Lions, and Publixs.

Bi-Lo gave me my first job, near my small hometown in SC. They hired me as a bagger and I soon worked my way up to cashier (I've always been a ladder climber, you see). I actually got hired at the age of 15, even though I fudged on the application that I was 16 (my birthday was five months away). I was in the 10th grade and because I now had a job, my parents allowed me to get my driver's license. Those were the young and carefree days.

I still have a sense of loyalty to Bi-Lo, which is why I was happy that the neighborhood I moved to a couple of years ago has one nearby. So pass on the word that my favorite grocery store is looking for a SpokesMILF!

Visit www.bilospokesmom.com for details.

Charlotte's Kendra James Is a 'Bad Girl'

UPDATE: "Kendra James Isn't So 'Bad'"

Season four of the Bad Girls Club premiered last night on Oxygen. It appears that it's going to be another hot mess, and the train that's bound to wreck is carrying a young lady from Charlotte, Kendra James.


Kendra doesn't seem to be the worst of the pack--so far that trophy goes to Natalie--but because she made the show, I'm sure she's going to show some ugly sides this season. I can't understand why a person would go on a "reality" show that has the sole purpose of putting together a group of hot-tempered, egotistical women with bad attitudes, keep them liquored up and watch them try to fight.

But we have someone on there representing Charlotte. Hopefully she does us proud!

Click here for Kendra's bio on the Bad Girls Club's website (where it's revealed that she has a twin sister who is supposedly the opposite of her). You'll also want to read her Q&A, which pretty much only asks her questions about sex.

If you missed last night's premiere, you can watch it when it re-airs tonight at 8 p.m. New episodes premiere Tuesdays at 10 p.m.