Cam Newton Can Afford a Lot of Haircuts

Now that the NFL lockout has ended, Carolina Panthers number one draft pick Cam Newton signed a four-year, $22 million, all of it guaranteed, contract yesterday. Many of the media outlets are reporting how Cam received far less than last year's number one draft pick, fellow quarterback Sam Bradford of the St. Louis Rams, who received a six-year, $78 million contract as a rookie, with $50 million guaranteed. If you compare apples to apples, which...

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Good Luck Stephen and Ayesha!

Stephen Curry and fiancée Ayesha Alexander are getting married this Saturday in Charlotte, where they both grew up. At ages 23 and 22, respectively, I hope these two young lovebirds have a long, happy future together. (And if the NBA continues its lockout, the couple might be able to enjoy a long honeymoon). Photo via ThanksUSA. Keep up with the soon-to-be-newlyweds on Twitter--@stephencurry30 and @ayeshaalexander--and see if they share any...

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Intolerance In Norway Looks Familiar

I avoided watching most of the news coverage over the weekend of the mass bombing and shooting spree that took place in Norway on Friday. Even though it happened in a country where we usually don't hear about any violence, when the story broke it seemed like another tragic account of hate and mass murder that unfortunately dominates world news. Finally, yesterday I began to watch the news stories and read some of the published reports about Anders Breivik and the carnage he left behind (death toll is currently at 76). By Monday, the narrative...

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On Q Productions Is Ready for Season 3

Charlotte is filled with talented, hard-working people who are helping to nurture and expand the local arts scene. One of those individuals is Quentin "Q" Talley. You've likely heard of this actor, slam poet, musician, and all-around creative guy. He's the founder and artistic director of On Q Productions, which is in residence at N.C. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. They recently announced the kickoff of the theatre company's third season,...

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Free, Advance Screening of 'The Help' on July 21

I just clicked on it a few minutes ago and there are still seats remaining for the free, advance screening of The Help, scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, July 21), 7 p.m. at Regal Ballantyne (14815 John J Delaney Drive). The screening is being presented in partnership with the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment (NABFEME), and you can see it nearly three weeks before the DreamWorks movie officially opens in...

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Read About It: Boyz II Men, Dinner Cruise, Celebrity Poker Tournament Highlight July 23 Fundraiser

This Saturday, July 23, Lake, Land & Lyrics takes place at Queen’s Landing on Lake Norman, as a fundraiser for Autism Services of Mecklenburg County. The eventful evening features three dinner options (two dinner cruises on the lake and one dinner on land), the Brentson A. Buckner Celebrity Poker Tournament, a concert at the outdoor amphitheater featuring Boyz II Men and Jim Quick & Coastline, and several celebrity guest appearances. I...

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Great News Story On Mentoring In Charlotte

The latest story in FOX Charlotte's "Reboot Charlotte" series is about mentoring youth ("More People Are Mentoring"). If you aren't familiar with the series, "Reboot Charlotte" is the news station's ongoing chronicling of the city as it "emerges from the recession and is thrust onto the world stage with the Democratic National Convention." The segment on mentoring captures an important piece of Charlotte's great philanthropic culture. FOX Charlotte...

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'Hunger Games' Movie Filming Headed to Charlotte

Some entertainment blogs are reporting that filming for The Hunger Games is headed to Charlotte earlier than originally scheduled. The Lionsgate movie is based on the best-selling, science fiction novel about a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem, where North America once existed. These games are held there, during which one boy and one girl from each district fight to the death. Filming for the movie has been taking place for...

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Charlotte Restaurant Week Summer 2011 Is Underway

It's that time of year again when you can eat out at a great restaurant without hurting your pockets. The summer installment of Charlotte Restaurant Week began yesterday and runs through next Sunday (July 15-24). Also known as Queen's Feast, and held for ten days twice a year--once in the winter and once in the summer--Charlotte Restaurant Week is as popular as ever. You can tell that by the huge banner hanging in Uptown and by the fact that there...

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Kyle Fleischmann 'Vanished', Depicted on Lifetime

On Monday night, the story of the disappearance of Kyle Fleischmann aired on national television. His story was depicted in the latest episode of Vanished With Beth Holloway on Lifetime, a show about missing person cases that's hosted by Beth. She, of course, is the mother of one of this country's most famous missing persons, Natalee Holloway. Kyle, a Charlotte man who was 24 years old when he disappeared, is featured in the first half of the one-hour...

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Community Empowerment Tour Today In Charlotte

I found out about this event this morning and thought I'd share it in hopes that some of you can make it out, because it addresses some important issues. The 2011 Verizon Community Empowerment Tour is in Charlotte today, taking place 12-4 p.m. at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. Admission is free. The event is hosted by gospel radio and TV personality (BET's Lift Every Voice) Cory "CoCo Brother" Condrey and features top gospel artists from Verizon’s...

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A Chance to Open Up for Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton at Budweiser Superfest

Aspiring singers listen up. Myspace Music and Budweiser are giving you the chance to open up for Jill Scott, Charlotte native Anthony Hamilton, Mint Condition, Doug E. Fresh, and DJ Jazzy Jeff at the 2011 Budweiser Superfest tour, billed as "Jill Scott's Summer Block Party." The opening act competitions take place about a week before each of the 12 selected concert tour stops in July and August, from D.C. to Dallas, including Charlotte. The opening...

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My Connection to the Casey Anthony Trial...Sort of

As millions of people nationwide continue to express their opinions (mostly outrage) on Casey Anthony being found not guilty of murder yesterday, I'm reminded of an interview I conducted in 2009. I talked to renowned forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs for the May 2009 issue of Charlotte magazine. Kathy, who lives in Charlotte, is, of course, a best-selling author and a producer for the FOX television series Bones, which is based on her books....

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Free Tennis Lessons for Beginners

MatchMaker Tennis is offering free tennis classes for beginners throughout the summer. The next session is this Saturday, 10 a.m. at Freedom Park in Dilworth, 1900 East Blvd. The classes are open to adults and all you have to do is sign up on their website and show up with a tennis racquet. Visit www.matchmakertennis.com for more details or go directly to their events calendar. I attended this MatchMaker Tennis class last summer (that's...

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