Get Money for Your Cultural Project

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is currently accepting applications for Cultural Access Grants it will award to qualifying nonprofit organizations for up to $7,500. The grants are designed to increase community access to African American, Asian, Latino, and Native American arts, science, and history/heritage experiences. The deadline to apply is March 18, 2011. ASC provides the grants through money from its Annual Fund Drive and a grant...

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The Reason for the Season via Social Media

Merry Christmas from your favorite blog! ; (And Happy HoLLidays from your favorite blogger!) Here are a couple of heartwarming videos circulating through social media that are worth watching if you haven't seen them yet. Each tells the story of the birth of Jesus using social media as it would've been used had it been around more than 2,000 years ago. The first video, titled "A Social Network Christmas," by Igniter Media, shows Joseph and Mary using Facebook, including when they update their relationship statuses to when they announce the birth...

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Lauryn Hill Concert in Charlotte January 8

One of the greatest artists of our time is slowly coming out of her years-long reclusive state and bringing her show to Charlotte. The incomparable Lauryn Hill will perform at Amos' Southend on Saturday, January 8. What an awesome way to start the New Year. I'm a huge Lauryn Hill fan, but as a fan I haven't had much to go on the last several years. I still pop in The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on occasion, which was was released in 1998 and was...

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New Nightlife Blog, Making It Easier and More Fun to Party and Socialize in Charlotte

I'd like to consider myself an authority on all things party in Charlotte. No, you won't catch me in the club every night, but you'll often find me at the events and venues that are worth my time...and yours. Plus, I've been writing about Charlotte's nightlife scene long enough that I know who the good (and bad) promoters are, which nightclubs are popping on which nights, and the types of crowds you can usually expect when you attend certain functions....

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Get 'Mirror Pride' for Your Favorite College Team

You can often tell a passionate college sports fan by his car--adorned with signature team license plates, bumper stickers, window decals, and the ever-present flags dangling above the car doors on game day. Now you can step it up a level with Mirror Pride, a rear view mirror cover that's in your favorite college team's color and prominently features its logo on the backside. I have to get one of these as a proud South Carolina Gamecock alum and...

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Michael Jordan Is Taking My Advice with the Release of the Air Jordan 11 Retro at TWC Arena

Michael Jordan and his Jordan Brand are releasing the Air Jordan 11 Retro on Thursday, December 23, and it looks like MJ is taking my advice. I've written about Jordan often on here, but there's one particular post from more than two years ago that shows me he's a Grown People Talking reader (yeah, right). In August 2008 leading up to the release of his highly anticipated Jordan Six Rings sneaker, I said, "We need to have special release parties...

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In Memory of Kemper Holiday and Every Young Man We’ve Lost Too Soon

This is a bit of a departure from what I typically blog about here on Grown People Talking. But it's in honor of a great, young man who lost his life too soon. Around this time a year ago tonight, December 14, 2009, I received a call from my mom saying that she'd just heard that my cousin Kemper Holiday* had been shot and killed. She didn't want to believe it, and neither did I. He was one of the last people you'd expect to hear this had happened...

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I Think The New York Times Thinks Charlotte Will Win Bid for 2012 DNC

Today's New York Times features a rundown of the pros and cons of the four cities that are finalists to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The Times leads off with Charlotte (referencing Mayor Anthony Foxx) in the article, "Cities Compete for 2012 Democratic Convention," and it links to mini-profiles of each of the cities, which also include Cleveland, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. Having grown up in a small town in South Carolina, where...

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Thanks Duke Energy for the Free Light Bulbs

Last spring, Duke Energy announced that it would mail a coupon for a free six-pack of 13-watt compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to customers in North Carolina and South Carolina. I received my coupon in April, I think, and I had something like six weeks or so to redeem it at Walmart for the free bulbs. Of course, whenever I went to Walmart I would never have the coupon with me; then eventually I lost it. Then last month, when I went online...

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Rolled Cigars in a Rolling Lounge

Lashes and MustASHES has hit Charlotte. The portable, luxury cigar lounge-on-wheels is here for a few days. I visited it Wednesday night as it set up shop outside Luna Lounge. Lashes and MustASHES is housed in a silver RV known as the "Land Yacht," where guests come inside to smoke some of the finest cigars amongst leather seating, flatscreen TVs, and music. It's an intimate party that can attach itself to a party. Photos by Jon Strayhorn/Media...

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Casting Call this Friday for 'Homeland,' New Showtime Pilot Starring Claire Danes

UPDATE: A second casting call for Homeland has been added, scheduled for Tuesday, December 14, 4-7 p.m. at Carolina Mall in Concord. Click here for details. There's a casting call being held locally this Friday for a new Showtime pilot called Homeland, the Charlotte Regional Film Commission announced yesterday. The casting call is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. at Plaza Fiesta Carolinas in Fort Mill, which is near the Charlotte border. Last month, Showtime...

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Monday Morning QB: Photo Sums Up Frustration of Panthers' Season

A month ago, I shared my views on the Carolina Panthers' TV schedule ("Monday Morning QB: No More Televised Panthers Games this Season, Please"). Four Sundays and four losses later, it's even more painful to watch the Panthers play. I'm a fan, for the record. In looking through the photo gallery posted by The Charlotte Observer, this one, particular photo sums up the frustration Panthers players have with this one-win season. Observer photographer...

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This Is Gamecock Weekend

I'm in Atlanta right now. My brother and I drove down yesterday in support of our South Carolina Gamecocks as they prepare to play the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship. I know the ACC Championship is taking place in Charlotte today--I wish a good time to all those fans. But there's nothing like the SEC right now when it comes to college football. The Georgia Dome, site of today's SEC Championship Game. The energy in Atlanta and our hotel is...

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Recap: Charlotte Chamber 2010 Annual Meeting at NASCAR Hall of Fame

The Charlotte Chamber held its 2010 Annual Meeting last night at NASCAR Hall of Fame. I attended the event for the first time in 2008 (when Michael Jordan was honored), so I knew to look forward to a great evening. You wouldn't necessarily think that a business event such as this would be entertaining, but there's a reason 1,800 people showed up (at $75 a ticket). The Charlotte Chamber and the teams of creative people they hire to put on the event,...

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