Uptown Magazine: October 2009

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2009 sexiest in uptown meet them on page 42

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OPEN HOUSE South End Location Saturday October 24th 2:00 - 5:00 PM Bring Your Pet! • Contests • Treats • Prizes • Gifts • Photography

3:30 PM Fashion Contest Bring Your Pet Dressed To Impress Call for details

Other locations:

South End Ballantyne

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uptown

704.632.8012 2135-106 Southend Dr.

704.926.7000

(Behind Chipotle on South Boulevard)

704.752.9787

Stonecrest

www.uptownclt.com

Locally and privately owned for ten years October 09.indd 2

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www.uptownclt.com

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Townhomes with Garages in Uptown & South Park!

From the $190’s

From the $190’s

1 Mile from South Park Mall & Lynx Light Rail Station.

Incredible 4th Ward Location! Spacious Townhomes with Attached Garage and Bonus Room.

Tour 6 Decorated Model Homes, Open Daily! • 1,747 to 4,500 sq.ft. • 2 to 4 bedrooms and 2 ½ to 3 ½ baths with owner’s bedroom up or down • 1 or 2-car attached garage • Bonus room, loft & rec rooms available • Gated entrance with clubhouse, fitness center & pool

Decorated Model Open Daily! • 1,397 to 1,704 sq.ft. • 2 to 4 bedrooms • 2 to 3 ½ baths • 1 or 2-car garage • Rec room • Balcony • Walk-in closets • Full brick • One block from Gold Rush Stop

(704) 643-7112

(704) 334-0375

Directions: I-77 to Exit 5/Tyvola Rd. Go East 2.6 mi. toward South Park Mall. Right on Park Rd. Go .5 mi. to right on Archdale Dr. Go 0.7 mi. to left into community on Park Royal Avenue. Model homes ahead on right.

Directions: From Uptown, take Tryon St. South to 6th St. Turn left and go 0.8 mi. to N. Irwin Ave. Turn right to decorated model on left.

Model Hours: Sun–Mon. 12-6, Tues.–Sat. 10-6 Prices and offers subject to change without notice. See a Sales and Marketing Representative for details.

Welcoming Families Home for Over 60 Years

For More Information, Visit RyanHomesUM.com 4

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cabinetry

Metropolitan Kitchen & Bath One stop kitchen and bath design center that excels at customer service and making your remodel simple and hassle free. Our system of “one person point of contact” utilizes our in house team of Metro Design and Building professionals so you can relax and focus on your residential, commercial, remodeling, or historic renovation project. Located within Metropolitan Design on South in Historic South End. Call for an appointment today.

www.uptownclt.com

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NEWEST OFFERing IN THE CITY - the last home on this street sold in 23 DAYS MLS# 886911 - $539,000 Call today to make an appointment to view this spectacular home

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www.uptownclt.com

Visit me at 218 North College Street iselluptown.com 704.608.0964 9/28/2009 12:33:00 PM

IT’S HIP. IT’S URBAN. IT’S CLOSE.

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• Priced from the $180s - $250s Located near the corner of The Plaza and McClintock Rd. www.uptownclt.com

Pat Deely - (704) 604.9303 - [email protected] October 09.indd 7

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Lana Laws - (704) 779.9005 - [email protected] 9/28/2009 12:33:03 PM

uptown, within reach. Wesley Village will offer 35 distinct floor plans, providing optional sunrooms and lofts. All of the unit types will include stainless steel kitchen appliances with built in microwaves, granite countertops, upgraded lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, and washers and dryers. The Clubhouse boasts a trendy Cyber-Café, billiards room, club grade fitness center, private yoga studio and plenty of space to enjoy yourself with friends. This distinctive amenity package will offer residents an opportunityÊ to build relationships and establish a sense of community. The courtyard showcases an inviting pool with sun deck, cabanas, bar, gas grills and a cozy outdoor fireplace.

Wesley Village is located just minutes from uptown Charlotte and access to I-77, I-277 and I-85. The community is directly attached to the Greenway and is in close proximity to Bryant Neighborhood Park which encompasses 6.6 acres of terraced hillside and flat playing field, a shady, steeply slopedÊ area to the west of the softball field is dotted with benches and matureÊ trees, tennis courts, a volleyball court, and horseshoe pits for a variety ofÊ recreational activities.

Leasing Office nOw Open for more information call 704.372.1130 email: [email protected]

Your Gateway to a healthier smile.

Comprehensive & CosmetiC Dentistry NOW ACCEPTING

AETNA CIGNA DELTA DENTAL DENTEMAX MET LIFE

Patricia Aguirre, DMD

Jessica Patel, DDS

900 West Trade St. - Suite 120 gatewaydentalsmile.com

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Photo Courtesy of Rosa Dest Interior Design

704.332.9848

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offered by Conformity Corp.

TIP FROM SOUTHBOROUGH H:

HEY, DON’T FORGET TO ENJOY LIFE.

GENUINE DILWORTH/SOUTHEND LIVING FROM THE $150s LOVINGSOUTHBOROUGH.COM 704. 374.1252

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LIVING LIFE.

LOVING SOUTHBOROUGH. www.uptownclt.com 9 uptown

9/28/2009 12:33:04 PM

the seen

pictures: catchlight studio

Among the life-size Buddhas and Bruce Lee movies on flat-screen TVs, the glitterati of Uptown, including everyone from mayoral candidates to NASCAR drivers, turned out for the grand opening of Enso, at the EpiCentre. An open bar all night long and more sushi than you could shake a chopstick at kept everyone’s yin and yang in perfect harmony.

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D&D's Flooring offers one of Charlottes largest selections of tile, stone and granite for your kitchen, slate and glass for your bath, custom wood flooring with inlay detail for your entryway, carpet and custom area rugs for your living room. Offering superior installation with the attention to detail that you demand. Visit our showroom to preview the latest in custom finishes and green alternatives. (Free Design services available now through september 30th) 628 West Morehead Street | 1 block west of Panthers Stadium | 704.374.9125

Framed Beaded Inset Door Style: 500/4/H Wood Species: Maple Color: Buttermilk

cabinets by Design, provides functional and aesthetically pleasing cabinet designs and quality cabinetry products. Established in 1999, Cabinets By Design boasts a staff with more than 75 years of combined cabinetry experience! We strive to meet the needs and desires of our clients while working within their budget. visit our showroom to preview custom cabinetry From: geppetto / Forestown, luxor & cabico www.uptownclt.com 12 uptown 2914 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209 |

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www.cabinetsbydesignllc.com | 704.339.0222

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www.uptownclt.com

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Originally from NY, Alessandra Salvatore has called Uptown Charlotte home for a year now. An avid writer of articles, reviews, and screenplays, Alessandra’s other addictions include interior decorating, red wine, and “swapping”—she recently created SwapSassy.com, a website where fashionistas can swap clothing. When not scoping the Charlotte scene, you can find her at home in the company of her husband, Greg, and her fat cat, Marcus. 16

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Bea Quirk had her first article published in Jack & Jill magazine at age seven, and her first book soon followed. Her first byline in Charlotte was in 1981, for the Observer, where she covered South Carolina high school football. She has since expanded her range of expertise, having written for most every major publication in Charlotte on practically every aspect of life here. Curiosity and a love of her craft are what drive her.

Ryan Sumner is both Creative Director and Owner of Fenix Fotography, a full-service photo studio located in Plaza-Midwood that’s dedicated to creating compelling and artful images for corporate, advertising, fashion, and weddings. The studio also offers on site studio work for executive headshots. Ryan photographed just about everything in this month’s magazine including the cover, Fashion and People: The Sexiest of Uptown. Click to fenixfoto.com to find out more about Ryan.

Charlotte native Matt Kokenes is no stranger to the media-sales business in the Queen City. He has been selling both print and television for almost seven years. Through perseverance and intestinal fortitude, Matt has shown he has the toughness to succeed in this business and was recently promoted to Ad Director for the magazine. Shake Matt’s hand if you see him—he deserves it, plus he looks much better in person.

A man about town with his camera, George Lanis of Catch Light Studio has been photographing people in his native Charlotte for years. From friends’ weddings to parties to family photos for the holidays, his work is creative and diverse, and he’s always looking to show you in the best light. Check out catchlightonline.com for more.

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A native Charlottean, Jennifer Misenheimer is a hair stylist and artistic creator with a discerning eye for style. When she’s not doing hair at T. Reid and Company, in Dilworth, or styling fashion shoots, Jennifer finds outlet for her creative passion can be found in painting, personal styling, and designing one-of-a-kind custom costumes. This month, Jennifer’s lips are the ones you see on the cover.

Peter Reinhart is the Chef on Assignment at Johnson & Wales University, which means he does whatever they ask him to do and goes wherever they send him. He’s written seven books on bread, pizza, food and culture. In partnership with Pierre Bader, he opened Pie Town, an artisan pizzeria on Trade Street. And if he weren’t busy enough Peter is also Uptown’s Contributing Food Editor.

Freelance writer Andy Graves spent his childhood and teenage years on a small, muddy dairy farm in upstate New York. He came by higher education in Helsinki; Baltimore; Cork, Ireland; and Buffalo, New York. When pressed about what he does for a living, he will explain that he is a hobo. He wanders aimlessly, tells aimless stories, and generally commits one aimless blunder after another. Send email to [email protected]

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Chris Wooten is a designer, artist, builder of tree houses, father, and avid traveler who is known for a neurotically meticulous attention to detail. Since the 1990s, Chris has been designing print and interactive solutions with zeal! Modry Design Studio was born after he hooked up with his partner in 2003. For now the company is firmly rooted in NoDa. If you want to talk design, stop by their studio or find them online at ModryDesignStudio. com.

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name: Little Shiva species: mutant here for: the smell of ink on paper interests: juxtaposition, transformation, mystery, clarity, the process of becoming, image and design contributions to this issue: table of contents website: littleshiva.com

Bryan Reed is a man of simple interests— among them, words, records, movies, and adjusting to life as a grownup (whatever that means). Since graduating from UNCChapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Bryan’s been living the dream, working as the assistant editor of Charlotte-based music magazine Shuffle, and freelancing for several publications including Tiny Mix Tapes and several weekly newspapers across the Carolinas.

Sheila Saints moved to Charlotte in 1990. A veteran journalist of print, television and radio, she has worked in the newsrooms of WBTV, NBC News Channel, WFAE, and Fox News Charlotte as an anchor/reporter and producer, interviewed Wayne Gretzky, led a dogsled team in Colorado, and studied screenwriting in Prague. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens. Sheila tells of her train travels in this month’s issue.

At one time a dancer, choreographer, and aspiring writer, one day Amanda Pagliarini woke up to find herself in a cubicle. Since relocating from DC two years ago, she has found happiness in Charlotte and is currently pursuing her dream of writing full time. In the off hours you can find her trotting around Uptown with her boxer JJ.

www.uptownclt.com

9/28/2009 12:33:42 PM

You’re invited to a screening that could change your life. Screenings Include:

I

n the time it takes to watch a movie, Presbyterian Women’s Center can develop a wellness program around your unique health goals.

It’s called Women’s Health by Design, a private two-hour consultation with a nurse practitioner who will help create a personalized health plan based on your health history and individual screening results.

Heart disease screening Diabetes screening Osteoporosis screening Skin cancer screening Blood pressure

Nutrition and exercise assessment Basic safety assessment Body Mass Index (BMI) Vision Guidance on additional women’s screenings

Receive $75 off the normal $225 consultation fee when you call 704-384-4WMN to schedule an appointment, or visit www.presbyterian.org/women for more information.

say more

with your smile! What our clients have to say... “I cannot tell you how very impressed we are with Dr. Shapiro and his entire staff! Thank you for all that you do!”

s s

“Your office and staff is the best in the Carolina’s - I always look forward to my visits and you always make me smile!” “I absolutely loved the experience and you made me feel like a family member. I was nervous, but it was over with right away.”

Edward I. Shapiro, DDS Dilworth • Myers Park • Uptown

general practice | sedation dentistry cosmetic & restorative dentistry | neuromuscular dentistry

CHELSEA COOLEY- Miss U.S.A. 2005 CHELSEADentistry COOLEYMiss U.S.A. 2005 by Dr. Shapiro Dentistry by Dr. Shapiro

704.632.9922 www.ShapiroSmiles.com www.uptownclt.com

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Editor/Publisher Todd Trimakas

Letter from the editor

Is Print dead? I’ve been asked that question and been told that print is dead quite a few times now. I first heard this sort of thing three years ago when, ironically enough, the representative of an online video firm---a firm that had invited us to partner up with them--told us that our medium would be dead in a couple years. Unfortunately they are no longer in business. More recently I’ve been asked the question by potential advertisers, contributors, and fellow media folks. Is print dead? My canned response is a shrug of the shoulders, a raising of my eyebrows, and a noncommittal, “I don’t know.” The term “death spiral” is the common description of the current state of the newspaper industry, and it always brings to mind some sort of debris in a whirlpool being sucked down into an abyss. Isn’t that just a bit too melodramatic though? Yes, newspapers are going bankrupt and quite a few magazine titles have disappeared. But by similar logic the whirlpool of death would be jam-packed with a large collection of industries, like automotive,

cover: Kiss, 2009 || by: fenix fotography | fenixfoto.com || model & makeup: jennifer misenheimer

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banking, electronics retail, real estate development, insurance, hedge funds--and the list goes on and on. So lots of industries are tanking; maybe it’s something else. The internet: it has to be the internet killing print. That’s typically the next talking point in my discussions. The World Wide Web will kill print. It’ll backslash-backslash it right off the cliff into a swirling death pool. Maybe folks are right about this, but most people roughly my age head to the beach with a stack of magazines rather than the latest Dell Netbook. But it could be a generational thing, so I did some impromptu research and asked my 16-yearold niece and 13-year-old nephew. First I had to pry them off Facebook and tear away their rapidly textmessaging fingers from their cell phones, and then I asked them if they still use books in school. They both looked at their decaying uncle and said, “Of course. What else would we use?” Hmmm. So the next generation is using print; what about the even younger generation? Luckily that one’s easy. I can look downstairs right now to my three-year-old sitting in front of the Disney Channel. When I put Kate to bed I’m not reading to her from a Kindle or toting a laptop into bed for her story about the big hungry bear and a red ripe strawberry. However, in an effort at full disclosure there are some spreading cracks in the newspaper industry, some that I have contributed to personally, and I apologize. I no longer check stock prices in print; I look them up on Yahoo. I no longer place classifieds on wood pulp. Yep: Craigslist. And the weather forecast? On my Blackberry. So the question remains: “Is print dead?” I still can’t predict the future, and will never pretend too, but until technology can replicate the glossy feel of a perfectly bound magazine, survive for a week folded between wet bathing suits and a bag of half-eaten Cheetos in my beach bag, and cost less than five bucks, I think print will stick around for a couple hundred more years. ~Todd Trimakas Publisher / Editor [email protected]

Advertising Matt Kokenes 704.944.0551 Executive Editor Andy Graves Contributing Editor Peter Reinhart (Food) Contributors Alessandra Salvatore Little Shiva Bea Quirk Jennifer Misenheimer George Lanis Bryan Reed Sheila Saints Photography Ryan Sumner Todd Trimakas George Lanis Cover Ryan Sumner Office 1600 Fulton Ave., #140 Charlotte, NC 28205 Contact us at [email protected] Uptown Magazine is a trademark of Uptown Publishing inc., copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Uptown is printed monthly and subscriptions are $25 annually and can be purchased online at uptownclt.com. Mistakes We apologize to Revolution Pizza for taking pictures of their ice cream and not giving them credit and to the good folks at Charlotte Center City Partners for not including their logo in our ad for Uptown Restaurant Week.

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drinks

words: alessandra salvatore

Life is full of opportunities to celebrate every day. And what better way to celebrate than with a seasonal cocktail? In an effort to welcome fall, here’s a compilation of drinks to sample. So raise your glass and toast in celebration: be it to Halloween, the changing of the leaves, or simply to a better way to get through Thanksgiving. For a warm fall welcome: Danny’s Warm and Fuzzy Apple Cider 7 cups apple cider ½ cup brown sugar 4 cinnamon sticks 1 tsp whole allspice 1 tsp whole cloves 1 tbsp lemon zest 1½ cups dark rum ½ cup butterscotch schnapps Combine the cider and brown sugar in a saucepan. Wrap the cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, and lemon zest in cheesecloth and add to the cider mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Remove the spice bundle and stir in the rum and butterscotch schnapps. Serve warm in mugs. (Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com.)

the life

For your Halloween Party: Icy Hands Halloween Punch 2 Latex gloves 1 750 ml bottle premium vodka or white rum 2 two-liter bottles of lemon-lime soda—make sure to get a clear brand red food coloring marshmallows (optional) To make the icy hand, take two latex gloves—it’s always good to have an extra hand— and put them on, and then wash your gloved hands with dish soap. Rinse well and turn the glove inside out so that the just-washed side is on the inside. Next, fill the gloves with water, tie the ends, and freeze. Once frozen, remove the latex glove from the ice and you are good to go. To make the punch, chill the vodka or white rum (in the freezer) and the soda (in the fridge) for at least 24 hours. Just before the party combine the two liquids in a large punch bowl. Add several drops of the red food coloring to make it blood-red. Add one of your icy hands to the bowl, throw in the marshmallows, and squirt some more food coloring over all of it for extra bloodiness. To really get a spooky effect, get a larger punch bowl and fill with dry ice. Then put your punch bowl with the Icy Hands mix inside of it, on top of the dry ice. No need to add extra ice, as the dry ice will keep it cold. Just before your guests arrive, pour hot water on the dry ice. Repeat throughout the night as necessary. NOTE: Do not touch the dry ice! Be sure to handle it only with tongs, and to keep it out of the punch itself, as it is not meant to be ingested. (Recipe courtesy of drinkoftheweek.com.) To celebrate—or to just get you through—Turkey Day: Turkey Craving 1½ oz Wild Turkey bourbon ¼ oz apple brandy 1 tsp sweetened lime juice 4 oz cranberry juice Fill glass halfway with ice. Add all ingredients in glass. Garnish with lime. Repeat as necessary. U Reach Alessandra at [email protected] For more info go to www.uptownclt.com

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9/28/2009 12:34:00 PM

holiday

words: alessandra salvatore

Halloween is a time to let your alter ego out of its closet and embrace it, the one night of the year when it is socially acceptable to raise your freak flag and fly it high, for your outfit and actions to lack complete and total sense and sensibility. It is believed that many years ago, on Hallow’s Eve, now known as Halloween, the dead would rise and roam the earth and that the living, in an effort to protect themselves, would don masks to scare the spirits away—a clear and reasonable explanation for how the slutty nurse costume came to be. If you are up in the air as to how to spend this unique evening here in the Q.C., consider these suggestions:

the life

u If you are hanging with a small group of friends, plan a night of Haunted House-hopping. Be sure to hit up Nightmare on Independence. Although it may be somewhat cheesy, it is definitely fun, and you can play a few rounds of mini-golf while you are there. u Throw a party. The great thing about Halloween is that all of your guests already have an “anything goes” mentality. Be sure to stress that costumes are mandatory. You can guarantee that they will come up with some ghoulish and hilarious ensembles, and this alone will set the mood for your soiree. Play a scary CD for background music, such as “Monsters Halloween Party” ($10 at iTunes.com), or any CD by Lindsay Lohan. Make it a potluck and tell everyone to bring a small dish. Provide a generous supply of fall drinks (see previous page for details). u If you’re looking for a fun night out with friends, or if you’ll be in the company of children or family, there’s always good ol’ Scarowinds. You will be guaranteed entertainment, and you can run into and out of haunted houses and mazes while eating carnival food until you pass out. u If it’s 8 p.m. on Halloween and you still haven’t got a game plan, and you are not enthused at the prospect of sitting home waiting for children to ring your doorbell begging for candy, you could do what my parents-in-law have done: trickor-treat for drinks! Head over to your favorite pal’s apartment (no costume necessary), empty glass in hand, and ring the doorbell. Your glass is guaranteed to be filled, and the spontaneity will make for a fun evening. So ladies, dress like hoochie mamas. Men, dress like ladies. Trick-or-treat for candy—or drinks. And have a blast doing it! U Reach Alessandra at [email protected] For more info go to www.uptownclt.com

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words: amanda pagliarini

A man, a woman and someone in-between

I often hear from men that women are frustratingly complicated. And it’s tough to argue with them. The women I know have contradictory desires: a masculine protector who can also cry on her shoulder; a man who will put her in her place and yet not tell her what to do; a cultured, artistic man of passion who doesn’t sell out to the societal status quo and yet makes a lot of money; a man’s man who can fix things and get grubby, but who will happily watch “Sex in the City” reruns with her; a man who doesn’t go tanning, live in the gym, or dress in a manner that suggests he might be gay, yet who is tan, in good shape, and dresses according to the latest trends. And then there’s sex. According to an article in The New York Times Magazine earlier this year, women don’t know what they want in the sack either. The article, “What Do Women Want?,” explores psychology professor Meredith Chivers’s study of female arousal. While they watched a series of short porno clips, men and women had their “special places” hooked up to a machine to detect increased blood flow. As they viewed these clips, which included boy-on-girl, girl-on-girl, boy-on-boy, and boy and girl solo performances, the test’s subjects were instructed to press a button when they felt turned on. Their responses were then compared to their actual body responses as detected by the machine. For men, their minds and penises were in agreement. When they claimed to be turned on, they were, and vice versa. On average, the straight men responded to clips of boy-on-girl, girl-on-girl, and the girl clicking her own mouse. 26

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True to form, the ladies continued their usual pattern of bewilderment. The women in the study claimed to be turned on mostly by boy on girl only. But their nannies said otherwise. Despite their claims of little to no provocation, nothing got the ladies’ blood flow moving like watching girl-on-girl and boy-on-boy. While they said to be more turned on by the clip of the man pleasuring himself, their bodies found the woman doing so to be far more exciting. It was as if the female subjects’ minds and vaginas were taking cues from two different women. While I find the results of this study interesting, I have to wonder if the contradiction between what a woman claims turns her on and what actually does has less to do with her own confusion and more to do with embarrassment. In my unscientific conclusion, I would argue that a woman is keenly tuned in to what gets her juices flowing; she just might not want to admit it. I went through a phase in my early twenties when ladies were actively catching my eye more than they very passively do today. While it turned out to be a fun time, it started out as alarming. Caught in a black and white mindset that most of America would have us think in, I feared that if I could be turned on by a woman it was just a matter of time before I would no longer be turned on by a man. Gratefully, I was having this experience when I was young and therefore living the immature motto, “Do what feels good now, deal with consequences later.” By embracing my desires rather than dismissing them, I learned that freedom and lack of inhibition was the real turn on. I think we can all agree that nothing will dry a woman up or take the wind out of a

man’s sail quicker than fear of judgment. Unfortunately for me, I grew out of that phase. If I hadn’t, I’d be cleaning up to a degree that would put a professional athlete to shame. Having always been an open book, I became the “safe” girl for my girlfriends and their girlfriends and random girls alike to explore their hidden curiosities. Not only could they proceed without fear of judgment, they saw that I had been able to indulge and not lose my attraction for men. Just like a new vibrator, there’s always the valid concern: What if it’s too good and a man can no longer do it for me? For me and the hetero girls I took a trip to the other side with, we found that nothing can replace the love of a man—their strong hands, hard bodies, musky scent, and protective dominance. Girls can be fun on a random tequila-fueled night or for a surprise cameo when your boyfriend has been a good boy, but who wants to deal with the fickle indecisiveness of a woman for the long term? So ladies, I encourage you to try it all—safely, of course. Find out what you really like, not what you’re supposed to. Knowing this will make sex with whomever you settle down with more enjoyable for you, and less complicated for them. Sleep with each other, have a threesome, have a sixsome. Do it in the morning, do it at night, do it upside down. Ask to watch your gay boyfriends, or just jump in between them. Do it with a freak or do it with a geek. Straight might be your orientation, but it doesn’t have to be your edge. U

Reach Amanda at [email protected] For more info go to www.uptownclt.com

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words: sheila saints

a train s t o ry

here’s something about trains. The clack-clack, clack-clack, clack-clack of the steel wheels. The soothing sound of the whistle. The rocking back and forth, like being cradled in a mother’s arms. The slow pace of the engine, as if the trip is the most important thing going on that day. When I was a kid, I loved the sound of the CSX freight train passing behind my neighbors’ houses and the park across the street. Lying on the bed I shared with my older sister, I listened for the train that would whisk my imagination far away from my tiny Wilmington, Delaware. Maybe I could jump through the open door of a boxcar and hang out with the hobos. The sound would lull me to sleep and to far-off places. Sometimes, I ran to our bedroom window when I heard the whistle, and if the trees were bare I could catch a glimpse of the train, hoping that this time it would be an Amtrak. Passenger trains set my imagination wild with dreams of adventure and escape. Only recently did I find out that Amtrak never used that CSX line. My mother warned us to “stay away from the tracks.” For the

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most part, we did. Once, my oldest brother put a penny on the rail and it was flattened by a passing train. Lincoln’s profile had melted to look like the face in Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” The vision of being mashed under the sharp, hot wheels was enough for me to keep my distance. Yet, my curiosity never waned. Mother never found out about the time my childhood friend David and I threw rocks at the train from the safety of the woods, or how in the summer we pretended the rail was a balance beam, never checking behind us for a train. Train tracks have a certain stinging odor when the tar gets hot, and as I looked down the tracks as the heat rose like a mirage, I thought, “If I kept going, I could walk right out of here.” Two of my uncles visited my family one weekend. At breakfast, they asked us how we could sleep with the sound of the training whistle blaring all night. We looked at each other. “What whistle?” Thirty years later, I’m in the Business Class car of Amtrak’s “Carolinian” Train No. 80 out of Charlotte, headed back to

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Delaware. The ride will take eleven hours, versus one-and-ahalf hours by plane or eight by car. People look at me with bewilderment and ask: “Eleven hours? What do you do for eleven hours?” For me, riding the “original steel horse” is like spending a stress-free day back in time. The train pulls out of Charlotte at 7:40 a.m. I prepare for the long journey by extending my seat and footrest, opening my laptop, getting out my DVDs and books, and cracking open the thermos of hot coffee I will sip for the next five hours. We slide pass the industrial underbelly of NoDa and as we gain speed, the window becomes a green blur as kudzu takes over the scenery. Along I-485, a red barn and silo with a giant u

below: wilson, n.c. // lunch in the café car // the station in delaware // scenes from small town u.s.a.

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white cross emerge. It’s surrounded by row after row of identical vinyl-sided houses where the farm used to be. Pasture meets progress. The attendant gives us pillows and blankets and a complimentary drink. We’re soon upon Kannapolis, where the landmark smokestacks for Plant No. 9 are a memory, and in their stead is the North Carolina Research Center. We stop to pick up passengers and continue on through the gritty part of Landis, where their textile factory has closed. The history of the South is along the train tracks that go through small, forgotten towns that are now decaying. Their church graveyards hold more people than the towns themselves. The train whistle blows, letting people know life is passing by. China Grove has a Main Street and mill houses, but no more mill. The tracks run along the backside, where work got done and people got their hands dirty before the manufacturing jobs fled overseas. Bungalows have chipped paint and speckled windows where worn-out faces peer to watch the train. We’re soon upon the “American Century Home” plant and its empty parking lot. The cars are all at the correctional facility down the way. Farther, a billboard reads: “Foreclosure affects the whole family.” Less than a mile later, another says: “Be happy, have fun.” An old house with a gazebo, grand in its heyday, drips with ivy and sadness. The romantic, faraway places I dreamed of as a little girl have turned to rubble. Vacant factories and textile plants represent abandoned ideas and a bygone era of middle-class America. It’s 8:30 a.m. Long ago, people would be filling these factories to start another day. Coworkers would say, “Good morning!” and share stories of their boys’ Little League games or their girls’ dance recitals or of how their oldest was graduating high school and hoped to get a job in the mill to carry on the right: view from the café car // towel town in rocky mount, n.c. // the station in wilmington, d.e.

family tradition. What happened to those families? What happened to their town? In the approaching distance, “The North Carolina Finishing Company” was imploded. The water tower with the company name stands among the crushed bricks—proudly, quietly—as if to say, “Something great was produced here.” The train rocks gently past with respect. Riding past these towns is like having a front row seat at a funeral. Rusty trailers, rusty cars, rusty people. Across the aisle, a woman watches a movie on her portable DVD player. How can she watch a motion picture when real-life drama unfolds outside her window? We close in on an empty single-story factory with the delivery dock facing the tracks and an abandoned blue pickup truck in the weed-infested parking lot. A livingroom chair and a folding chair are outside on the dock where I imagine coworkers sat and laughed over a good smoke. Now even the cigarette factories have vanished. We stop in High Point and then, toottoot, we’re off to Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, Cary, Raleigh, and Selma. It has begun to rain and streets are glistening. As the train speeds along, snapshot images zip past: rows of soybean and cotton, a forgotten field, boarded-up shacks like in Walker Evans’s black-and-white photographs in Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. The whistle blows again, soft and gentle, and the cows don’t look up from grazing. A red pickup truck waits behind the railroad crossing gate. We catch glimpses of life, landscape, and loneliness. My mind drifts to my first train trip to New York City when I was a teenager. Penn Station and its crush of people, high ceilings, and organized confusion was intoxicating. At my house in Charlotte, occasionally, I hear it in the distance--if the night sky is clear and traffic is quiet—a long chooooo, then two short choos. A far-off train calling me home. A woman sits next to me in Wilson and awakens me from my wide-eyed slumber. We exchange pleasantries and I go back to writing. She opens her cell phone, and from the conversation I hear that she’s traveling to Washington, D.C., www.uptownclt.com

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Happy October and Happy Halloween! October is my favorite month. There’s nature’s seasonal change, highlighted by the colorful foliage. And all the great sports: Major League Baseball’s World Series, football-both college and professional--hitting its stride, basketball, and hockey preseason. Plus, Halloween. And, last but not least, my birthday. Of course I thought it would be only natural to cover the Top Ten Most Popular vehicles in the United Sates. So without further ado, starting in descending order: #10 Honda CRV - 4 door 5 passenger 179 horsepower 20-27 m.p.g. #9 Honda Pilot - 4 door 8 passenger 250 horsepower 17-23 m.p.g. #8 Toyota Corolla - 4 door 5 passenger 132 horsepower 26-35 m.p.g. This is the worlds most popular and best-selling vehicle! #7 Toyota Sienna - 4 door 7-8 passenger 266 horsepower 17-23 m.p.g. #6 Toyota Highlander - 4 door 7 passenger 187 horsepower 17-23 m.p.g. #5 Toyota Rav4 - 4 door 7 passenger 179 horsepower 22-28 m.p.g. #4 Honda Civic Hybrid - 4 door 5 passenger 110 horsepower 40-45 m.p.g. #3 Honda Accord - 4 door 5 passenger 177 horsepower 22-31 m.p.g. #2 Toyota Camry - 4 door 5 passenger 169 horsepower 22-33 m.p.g. America’s best-selling vehicle! #1 Toyota Prius - 4door 5 passenger 134 horsepower 48-51 m.p.g. --the World’s first hybrid and now over 2 million sold! These rankings may make you think I work for Honda as well. But these aren’t my opinions. They are the Top 10 Most Popular models based on the “My Ride” section of Autobytel.com. Your preference is what makes you happy. Maybe you tend to go with the flow. Or it may be that what’s different than popular is what makes you happy. Either way, with contemporary styling, gas efficiency, and technological wonders, it’s no wonder that today’s vehicle choices are better now than ever! Thanks, and drive safely out there. Erick Wicklund General Manager Town and Country Toyota 704.552.7600

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to see her 19-year-old niece’s premature baby in the hospital. A family is socializing on the porch of a house facing the tracks. They are African-American. Their daily view, and entertainment, is this. One man lifts his hand and waves, and I quickly press my hand to the window, trying to make a human connection from a speeding train. Seconds later and two doors down, an elderly white couple shuffles to their tired, old car outside their rundown antebellum mansion, all past their original glory. I wonder if these two families, so close logistically, even know each other. At each stop, the ebb and flow of passengers continues. As the train pulls away from the Rocky Mount depot, we approach the shopping district, and I see the reflection of the moving train in the empty storefront windows. A middle-aged man stands with his arms crossed and a “take me away” look in his eye while his three daughters lean lazily against the doorway of an ornate, vacant bank. I want to wave, but they are gone. There’s a certain beauty about these Carolina towns trying to cobble together an existence. Whitakers and Enfield fly the American flag and have town names on water towers, fire departments, and post offices. We slip out of North Carolina into Virginia and towns dissolve into a landscape of green farmland. At a train yard, a blonde man in a scruffy green t-shirt and jeans carries a duffle bag over his shoulder. Hobo, I think. They do exist. We pass downtown Emporia at 2:20 p.m. where “The Virginia Hotel” boasting “Polite Service. Friendly” has been converted into an antiques store. I head to the café car to briefly eat my packed lunch in one of the comfortable, cushioned booths. Across from me, a young man wears earbuds, blocking out any noise or potential conversation. Two people in the back play cards. I return to my seat. We have run out of towns and are

moving fast. “I love trains,” the woman behind me says with a Boston accent. “I used to work on the railroad in college,” replies the man across the aisle. He says he’s watching the rails and is carrying a 1972 railroad timetable. North of Richmond, we pass through a storybook town called Ashland, home to Randolph-Macon College, where the Victorian houses and trolley make it look like Candyland. Out of nowhere, we’re on a bridge that carries us across a wide, stunning river with herons and fishermen dotting the surface. Suddenly, we’re upon a group of men and women in uniform practicing a drill. “Quantico Marine Corps Base, Virginia. Crossroads of the Marine Corps.” We slow to a gentle stop at the commuter station, barely long enough for anyone to board. Maybe no one did. In a short hour, we’ll be in Washington, D.C. The phone of the woman sitting next to me rings and it’s her sister. I can tell from her hushed tone the baby didn’t make it. Throughout the trip, I’ve been so busy writing and taking pictures, and she’s been listening to music, that we haven’t talked much. But during the last leg of her journey, we put down our distractions and bond over the loss of a child, not here long enough for the whole family to meet. The Washington Monument juts up from horizon and then the dome of the Capitol. The train takes us right through downtown where she will depart with a heavy heart. The conductor says we’re parking at Union Station for 15 minutes. I want to dart inside for a coffee and a croissant, run up the escalator, spin in the atrium like Mary Tyler Moore. But he warns: If you miss the train, you miss the train. I’m looking forward to sleeping in my old room where the furniture has not changed since I was a little girl. And once again, I will be lulled to sleep by clackclack, clack-clack, clack-clack as the train hits that one spot on the tracks that still sounds the same after four decades. U Reach Sheila at [email protected] For more info go to www.uptownclt.com

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or many people, having a cultural center named after you is a crowning achievement that nothing could come close to equaling. And while Harvey Gantt has received many accolades during his 66 years, he is certainly honored and humbled by this unique honor. Yet at the end of our long interview about his role in the development of Uptown Charlotte, there came a moment when I unwittingly gave him a compliment that deeply resonated with the essential core of who Harvey Gantt is. “So I guess it’s only fitting that this center should be named after you,” I said. “You have, after all, been a civil rights pioneer and a longtime leader in the African-American community. But it’s also fitting, given that it’s located Uptown. Because, after all is said and done, you are a ‘city guy.’” Gantt, who had been in a reflective mood during our conversation, broke out in a wide grin that not only lit up his face, but seemingly his entire being as well. It was a joyful look of pleasure that comes when an insightful “ah ha” moment about yourself is combined with an external recognition of what you are most proud of about yourself “That’s right,” he said. “I’m a city guy. No one has ever called me that before. I have lived in uptown for 30 years, plus always had my business here. There aren’t many people who can say that.” The moment ended the interview – focusing on Gantt’s role in the creation of modern uptown Charlotte – on just the right note.

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Even those who have only lived in Charlotte for a short time recognize the name Harvey Gantt: First black mayor of Charlotte (1983-1987). A barrier-breaking candidate for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Jesse Helms in 1990 (and again in 1996). And, before that, as the student who desegregated Clemson University when he attended its architecture program in 1963-1965. But few people know Gantt as a distinguished architect and co-owner of Gantt Huberman Architects, which he founded with Jeff Huberman in 1971. Fewer still – including myself, who has known him through the political arena for decades – realize that what he sees himself as is a city planner. So, Dear Reader, come get to know Harvey Gantt, the City Guy, and learn about the history of modern Uptown Charlotte from one of its first advocates.

You were born and raised in Charleston. What brought you to Charlotte? When I moved here in 1965, I was a young fellow looking for a place to raise my family and get certified as an architect. I wanted to stay in the South – two years of college in Iowa taught me that. I had two choices: Atlanta and Charlotte. Although I graduated third in my class, I did not get a single job offer in South Carolina. No one wanted the notoriety of hiring the person who desegregated Clemson. The size of the town appealed to me. It was a smaller pond than Atlanta. Odell Associates were nice and accommodating and made the case that the place was going to grow. Yet Charlotte was never originally on my radar; I wasn’t enamored with it. If you were going to go to North Carolina you thought about Raleigh or Greensboro. What were those first years like? For the first three years, I focused on getting my architecture license and was not

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involved in anything besides that and my church, Friendship Baptist. Gouldie Odell (firm founder, Arthur Gould) allowed me to work on the first master plan for Uptown Charlotte. This was before the Civic Center, and the first office tower had not been built. There was no Fourth Ward, and Brooklyn (an old black neighborhood located near the intersection of McDowell and Stonewall Streets) was being erased. I watched from the sidelines as all the business leaders came to Odell to see the plan and saw how he sold it to them. I was in the room and saw all those people serious about the plan. It always stayed with me. From that experience, I realized I wanted to study city planning, what made some cities great and some not. So I got my masters in city planning from MIT, then worked as a planner at Soul City and taught city planning at UNCChapel Hill. For me, it was all about cities, not architecture. Why did you come back to Charlotte? I saw the city moving. There was another center city plan that called for using public infrastructure to promote private investment to create a place where white-table restaurants and greasy spoons were next door to each other and where housing made sense. Charlotte was a great urban laboratory, and there was a dynamism in the air. Jeff Huberman and I had met at Odell, and we had talked about forming an integrated architectural firm in Charlotte. There were few black architects anyway. He asked me to come back, and in October 1971, we opened our firm in the Johnson Building. We have always been located Uptown. A suburban location did not fit with our mission of what we wanted to be – and we felt we should be in the center of things. Then what happened? We did mostly institutional work, and we got our first city commission – the Belmont Regional Center -- just before I

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think now how remarkable it was that we convinced the retailers and financial institutions to let us close Tryon Street and transform the way it looked. We buried the utility cables, spread bus stations along the length of Tryon and built a civic realm on the street. It was the start of a new way of thinking about Uptown. Now I look at and see the beautiful trees and bus shelters. There were some who argued for cheap little enclosed shelters, but we wanted something that would last. They were well worth the investment -- they still look good after more than 20 years. the gantt center

was appointed to city council. That project made me more familiar with planning and how city departments worked. I realized how the city could, if they did it right, encourage housing and retail and make an exciting city. I decided I wanted to be a part of it. Fred Alexander was my mentor, and he knew Charlotte’s history. He respected my growing knowledge about cities, and he listened to me. When he left city council for the state legislature, a lot of people wanted his seat. Out of the blue, he asked me to fill it because I was a neutral candidate. It was then that I saw how I could use my knowledge in a direct and effective way. The city needed to leverage the aspects it had control over to shape development where it needed to go. It was when I began to see Uptown as the livingroom of the region. I remember you using that phrase in the early 1980s during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Uptown transit mall. It’s a forgotten term now. But the mall served its purpose. It laid the groundwork for today’s Uptown. We tore up Tryon Street, and it was nothing but clay and holes for months. I

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What other developments helped transform Uptown? This place has always believed in what it planned. We saw second-floor retail in Minneapolis, and we followed through on it by building the Overstreet Mall. It fulfilled its purpose, but it had consequences we did not anticipate. We’re still working on getting retail on the street. We had a cultural plan that called for transforming a church into an arts center (Spirit Square) and for building a science museum (Discovery Place). It keeps going on and on. The Junior League restored the Berryhill House in Fourth Ward, and some of us on council got enamored with it. It wasn’t high-rise housing, but it was the beginning of residential development in the soft underbelly of high-rises. It was a romantic idea that made sense. You almost got the Coliseum built uptown during the 1980s. But it ended up off of Billy Graham. The bond to build the coliseum passed while I was mayor, and we

considered two Uptown sites. One was where the Civic Center was (now the site of the EpiCentre), but it was too tight. Then we considered the site of the Arnold Palmer Cadillac dealership (where the Convention Center now sits). But the council voted it down for the suburban site. I took a lot of heat for it, but I still think I had the right idea. Progress kept being made, though. Uptown has evolved over generations, in fits and starts, with successes and failures. But everyone had the notion that we could eventually build something very good at the city’s center. The Charlotte Uptown Development Corporation (precursor to Charlotte Center City Partners) got business leaders The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture is the new name for the AfroAmerican Cultural Center that was founded 35 years ago. The new four-story building at Stonewall and Tryon streets is a combination art/history museum and cultural center. It will feature 7,000 square feet of gallery space in its three main exhibit halls. The opening exhibits feature works by Belmont native Juan Logan and Atlantabased Radcliffe Bailey, as well as the entire 58 pieces of the nationally known Hewitt Collection, part of the center’s permanent collection. Purchased in 1998 by Bank of America and donated to the Center, it features paintings by such artists as Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, Jonathan Green and Ann Tanksley. involved who knew we were serious. You made a personal commitment to Uptown as well as a business one. I felt it was important to make a personal investment and so moved into Fourth Ward. Now I walk to Tryon Street from there and show it off to visitors, who are fascinated by the level of activity. At 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, the streets are filled with people. My guests

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always ask me, “Where are these people going? How on earth did you get this place to look like this?” What about the future? I’m happy where the center city is today. It was part of a movement of people – the city manager, city council and business leaders – with the right ideas. In 20 years, it can look even better. But we still need to work on retail, residential, and parking. We need to continue to make it a destination for the region. And I hope we don’t lose our energy and vision for public transportation. We need to extend the light rail line all the way to the university and add commuter lines to the towns, even if we have to add another quarter-percent tax.

The campus – and the Gantt Center – are examples of how the public sector can leverage its resources to spur development. I remember when the Afro-Am Center – I’ll be calling the organization that for a long time – was started at UNC-Charlotte and when it was based in one room at Spirit Square. I served on its board in the 1970s. Then, when I was mayor pro tem, the Little Rock AME Church was slated for destruction to widen Seventh Street. But the road was moved to save it – I wonder how many people know that’s why the street curves like that? The city purchased it and leased it to the Afro-Am Center once they raised a certain amount of money. Then the Center grew enough and had enough presence that when the new Cultural Campus was planned, it was right in the heart of it.

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Are you concerned that the Wells Fargo Cultural Campus (which the Gantt Center is part of) is opening during a severe economic downturn? No. Of course there are going to be dips in the economy if you look long term. The value of my house in Fourth Ward has gone up, gone down, flattened, gone up again – we didn’t choose it for the short term. The Cultural Campus will still be great 50 years from now. It is opening at a time when people have less money for entertainment, but in the big scheme of things, it is something very special. We are being applauded that a city of this size could open so many venues in such a short period of time. It is one more thing that will make Uptown a destination in the center of the region.

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I know everyone asks this question, but I can’t resist. How does it feel to have this center named after you? I’ve always had strong feelings that you shouldn’t name buildings after people who are living. So I gave it a lot of thought after I was asked. But it was thinking about children that moved me the most. The black and white kids who go there might ask, “Why is it named the Gantt Center? Who is this fellow?” And my story might be uplifting and inspiring to some of them. U Reach Bea at [email protected] For more info go to www.uptownclt.com

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Define “sexy.” Sexy is a brilliant mind and a witty sense of humor. It’s big red wines and spicy foods. Passionate people are sexy. What makes Charlotte a “sexy” city? What doesn’t? Charlotte has an incredibly sunny disposition that is absolutely sexy. Her people are exceptionally friendly and welcoming. There’s everything you could ever want here: food, festivals, football. What’s not sexy: Charlotte hasn’t embraced just how truly cool, hip, and fun she is! Where are the best spots in Charlotte to live? To go out? Hands down the best place to live is Uptown. We can walk to Bobcats, Panthers, and Checkers games. We’ve got hot clubs, cool bars, and cuisines to please any palate! There are greenways and dog parks. What’s not to love? What motivates you to get up and go to work in the morning? I just finished my three-year tenure at WSOC and I’m currently looking for my next gig. And what I have always loved about my job is that I get to tell a person’s story. It wasn’t an accident, it wasn’t a murder, and it wasn’t a home invasion. Every single

incident meant there was a victim, a family, a story. I’m calling my time in between jobs my “sabbatical.” And these days, I’m working on a book, telling a story in paper form as opposed to video. Now every morning, I’m excited to see where my characters will take me. What’s something not many people know about you? I’m the daughter of Chinese immigrants and my first language was Mandarin-Chinese. I’m the first one in my family to go to college. I don’t like to cook but I love to eat. I curse—a lot. My friends tell me, pound for pound, I’m the loudest person they know. What do you think the future holds for the Queen City? I think Charlotte’s future is very bright. My husband and I moved here from Boston three years ago and we absolutely love it. There’s a palpable sense of optimism and I love the idea we’re part of this growth.

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Define “sexy.” I would say that being sexy is something you feel within. I think that “sexy” is all about your confidence. I believe that people are sexy in numerous ways. There is not just one specific way to be sexy, since everyone is beautiful in their own way. What makes Charlotte a “sexy” city? What doesn’t? The thing about Charlotte that makes it a sexy city is the diversity it has. The thing about Charlotte that isn’t sexy is when people are judgmental based only on the way a person looks. Where are the best spots in Charlotte to live? To go out? The best spot to live for me, at the moment, is South End. I just moved in the area to a luxury high-rise called Ashton South End. I love that I can walk to the light rail and local restaurants like Sullivan’s Steakhouse. It’s hard to think of just one great place or area to live in since Charlotte has so many great spots to live. The best spot to go out is EpiCentre, hands down. It’s a hot spot that Charlotte has needed for a long time. There is so much to do at the EpiCentre: shop, eat, dance, play, and watch your favorite movie—my favorite new spot at EpiCentre is Enso.

What’s something not many people know about you? I love fishing! I enjoy the time I can spend with my husband on our family’s pond, and having a cold beer every now and then, too. What do you think the future holds for the Queen City? As time passes, we are going to see more growth in our city, and that growth will be exciting for everyone that lives here. I love watching my city grow and look forward to my kids one day seeing that as well.

What motivates you to get up and go to work in the morning? I love what I do. I’m the Leasing Director for Ashton South End. I have never been more passionate about any job than this one. I also enjoy my residents and being able to find people their new home is very rewarding.

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For the latest Center City real estate information, bookmark these sites!

shanemcdevitt.com themcdagency.com

centercityblog.com

askuptown.com

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Define “sexy.” Sexy is being comfortable in your own skin. Sexy is having the ability to laugh at yourself. What makes Charlotte a “sexy” city? What doesn’t? Charlotte is sexy because it is thriving. All of the possibilities Charlotte has makes it the sexiest city I know. What takes the sexy out of Charlotte? The abandoned buildings on Independence. Where are the best spots in Charlotte to live? To go out? Myers Park, Dilworth, Uptown, Plaza-Midwood. I love dining out at Pewter Rose, Copper, and Lang Van. I also love to practice yoga and hang out with my fellow yogis at Yoga One. What motivates you to get up and go to work in the morning? Being a professional ballet dancer, I get to do what I love everyday. Waking up knowing I will be dancing to music, striving to perfect my passion, and working with really great people makes me the happiest. What’s something not many people know about you? As a child I was so quiet and painfully shy at school. As an incentive, my family would reward me if I were to get in trouble at school for talking. It’s hard for my friends now to believe that! What do you think the future holds for the Queen City? I think the future of the Queen City holds more fantastic people, food, style, and, most importantly, a constant growth and change for the better.

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Define “sexy.” My definition of sexy has a lot to do with what I call “swagger.” It’s about being comfortable with who you are and having a confidence about yourself. What makes Charlotte a “sexy” city? What doesn’t? I think what makes Charlotte sexy is its potential. I’ve seen Charlotte explode in the last five years in its style, fashion, and nightlife. What doesn’t make Charlotte sexy is its lack of diversity. Where are the best spots in Charlotte to live? To go out? To live: South End, NoDa, Cotswold. To go out, Apostrophe Lounge on a Friday or Saturday night. The energy and vibe is amazing. What motivates you to get up and go to work in the morning? My family. What’s something not many people know about you? Both of my parents are immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries. What do you think the future holds for the Queen City? I think the future is very bright. It’s a young, growing city, full of opportunity for entrepreneurs.

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Define “sexy.” Sexy to me is the entire person. Sexy is looking good, strong sense of family, good sense of humor, great personality, and, most important to me, how you carry yourself—confidence. Confidence embodies the pride, and for me it’s the pride I take in my work. If you are confidant and passionate, be it about work, hobbies, or anything, really, you don’t have to try too hard, but just be who you are, and that’s sexy. Confidence means you are passionate and being “who you are” without being arrogant. I like to show my confidence in my work, but you can be confident in anything: work, play, hobbies—anything really.

What do you think the future holds for the Queen City? The people are just so genuine, it’s unlike anyplace else, not to mention the youth of the city. I’m not just talking about age—the energy here is something contagious. Take a walk though Uptown on any night and you’ll find people out and about and live music playing. The city is alive. I only see it continuing to grow. And as more people move into Uptown, the possibilities are endless.

What makes Charlotte a “sexy” city? What doesn’t? Charlotte is a fresh and vibrant city. It’s expanding and growing overnight. Every day going to work I see the cranes and new buildings being built, who wouldn’t get excited about all the opportunity literally sprouting up on every street corner. It’s sexy to know that you have this opportunity at your fingertips. What doesn’t? The traffic from construction—but that’s a small price to pay. Where are the best spots in Charlotte to live? To go out? I must admit a slight bias on this question. The EpiCentre is the heartbeat of Uptown Charlotte. With so much to offer and so many different venues it’s the perfect place to spend a day or night out. The upbeat atmosphere keeps people coming back and the best part about the EpiCentre, it’s not done growing yet! What motivates you to get up and go to work in the morning? I have a great challenge in my line of work: how do you get people to constantly find the product you are producing the most exciting in the city? I enjoy seeing a project from beginning to end. At Suite, at the EpiCentre, we develop new ideas, create marketing plans, execute, and watch an idea become reality as we try to redefine nightlife in Uptown Charlotte. What’s something not many people know about you? Working my way through college at UNCC, I started doing nightly security at Have A Nice Day Café before I was old enough to drink. From there I worked my way up through other clubs in town going from security to a VIP host, to manager, to partner here at Suite at EpiCentre. I am excited about the future and expanding the Suite concept across the country.

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Define “sexy.” Sexy is just being confident in yourself. What makes Charlotte a “sexy” city? What doesn’t? The people of Charlotte make it sexy. It is such a new city and it has become a collection of people from all across the country. I think it is great that the people of Charlotte haven’t forgotten where they’ve come from, whether they are originally from here or not. Where are the best spots in Charlotte to live? To go out? I’ve only lived up by Lake Norman, but I love the Dilworth and South Park areas. There is always something fun to do around there. It is such and young and energetic city that just about anywhere is exciting. What motivates you to get up and go to work in the morning? I’m working hard each day trying to get back to the major leagues. You work year-round to get better and improve all for the chance to compete at the highest level. Every guy in Triple-A is trying to get to the big leagues. Right now I’m looking to go in to spring training healthy and in the best shape possible and compete for a big league job. What’s something not many people know about you? I’m actually a pretty good singer. At least I think so. What do you think the future holds for the Queen City? Hopefully an Uptown baseball stadium for the Knights. Charlotte is going to keep growing and changing. It will be exciting what it looks like in ten years. As long as the people don’t change, then this city will be great.

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sexy the auction October 29th 7-9pm enso at the Epicentre brought to you by

all proceeds to benefit

in collaboration with

come out on october 29th and we’ll show you our packages Sexy Trip for Two to Bermuda u Four day / three night stay at one of Bermuda’s fine hotels including two roundtrip airline tickets courtesy of the Bermuda Department of Tourism, bermudatourism.com.

Dance to Your Heart’s Content u Four VIP Runway for the Ballet tickets - $260 u Four Premium Tickets “The Nutcracker” - $296 u Four Premium Tickets to “Cinderella” - $296 u Four Premium Tickets to “Innovative” - $296 u Four Premium Tickets to Director’s Choice - $296 u Two Walk-on roles in “The Nutcracker”—Priceless! 54

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An Unforgettable Weekend for Two u SilverFox Limos: Three to four hour chauffeured limousine service. Valid Sunday through Friday only. Tip not included. Donated by James Weymann. silverfoxlimos.com u Carolina Panthers: Autographed authentic pigskin signed by #17 Jake Delhomme and an autographed authentic jersey signed by #87 Muhsin Muhammad. Donated by April Smith and Bernadette Washington. panthers.com u Neiman Marcus gift certificate for a day of pampering. Enjoy a facial and makeup lesson from one of Neiman’s cosmetic lines. Donated by Maggie Snipes, neimanmarcus.com u Diamonds Direct South Park: $500.00 Gift Certificate. Donated by Itay Berger with special thanks to Kelsey Halford, ddusainc.com u Varji & Varji Salon & Spa: Spa package for two facials, two massages, two manicures, and two pedicures. Donated by Max and Susan Varji, varji.com u Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Experience a dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse for an unforgettable dining experience. For 4 people, a $250 value. Donated by Chris Whelpton, sullivansteakhouse.com u Aloft Hotel at the EpiCentre: Celebrate in style with a weekend stay at Aloft Hotel at the EpiCentre, in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. Donated by Rob Cote, aloftcharlotteuptown.com

Live the Good Life u South End Dentistry: Exam and whitening ($900 value), southendsmiles.com u Apostrophe Lounge: VIP table with bottle ($250 value), apostrophelounge.com u Bobcats tickets for two: Cavaliers vs. Bobcats OR Lakers vs. Bobcats ($130 value) u Ink Floyd: Create your own custom t-shirt with Dave from Ink Floyd! Ever had a sweet idea for a t shirt? You can make it happen! ($200 value) inkfloyd.com u Heels.com: $100 gift certificate, heels.com u Niche: $100 gift certificate, thenichemarket.com u Common Market South End: $20 gift certificate, commonmarketclt.com u Black Sheep: $50 gift certificate, blacksheepnc.com u J Studio Salon: $150 gift certificate (201 W. Park Ave, 704.330.5757) u Emerson Joseph: Men’s grooming package, emersonjoseph.com u Astor and Black Custom Clothiers: $250 gift certificate astorandblack.com u Charlotte Athletic Club: Three-month membership ($285 value) charlotteathleticclub.com u Charlotte Trolley Museum: Museum rental for child’s party ($175 value) charlottetrolley.org

Ultimate Entertainment Package u Strike City: Enjoy a two hour private party for eight to ten people in the Private King Pin Room. ($800 value) Monday – Thursday. Includes appetizers, two hours of bowling, and shoe rental u Suite VIP platinum card ($400 value) You plus one guest enjoy free admission from Nov 2009 – Nov 2010 VIP Line access, VIP Table Wednesday – Friday for up to eight people ($400 value) u Whisky River VIP Card ($400 value) You plus one guest enjoy free admission for a year from Nov 2009 – Nov 2010 VIP Line access, VIP table good for Tuesday or Friday for up to eight people ($400 value) u Aloft: A room at the ALoft good for any Friday through the end of the year ($170 value) u BlackFinn - $100 Gift Certificate u Mez: Two complimentary movie tickets, a romantic chef’s tasting for two. a delightful five-course meal with wine pairings ($228 value) u Modern Salon and Spa: $100 Gift Certificate u Palm Beach Tan: One free diamond level package for a month ($100 value), lotion kit ($65 value) u Indo China Grill: $50 gift card u Enso: $150 Gift Certificate u Blue Restaurant and Bar: A romantic chef’s tasting four course meal with wine pairings for two ($200 value)

VIP at a Charlotte Knights Game u 14 Person Suite u Charlotte Knights Gift Basket u First Pitch u Clubhouse Tour u ½ Inning on the Charlotte Knights Radio speaking with the announcers u ½ Inning on the stadium PA u Batting Practice(BP) Coach: Act as a BP coach, sit in the dugout, and mingle with players

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u o f

pictures: fenix fotography | fenixfoto.com styling: jennifer misenheimer makeup: scott “scooter” arnold hair: laura glidden, t. reid & co. | treidandcompany.com models: wilhelmina-evolution | evolutionmt.com set crew: donamari d’ andrea special thanks: brian james

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dress: charlie 5.0 | $235 ivory pendant: dng | $215 earrings: dng | $220 ring: dng | $40 necklace: dng | $55

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jeans: diesel | $260 reversible shirt: diesel | $85

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jeans: vintage | $225 jacket: veda | $595

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cuff: dolce & gabbana | $295 tooth pendant: dolce & gabbana | $215 belt: streets ahead | $215 leggings: current/elliot | $218

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dress: ivy | $175 chain bangle: dolce & gabbana | $125

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Having both luxury and affordability

Current liStingS

is no longer just a dream.

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BUSH CUSTOM TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Serving the Carolinas since 1958! Last minute reservations readily accepted 24/7 800.452.2657 • 704.394.3337 • www.bushtrans.com

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“The company I trust is Bush Transportation.” –Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina Panthers www.m2foundationforkids.com

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The Green Feat LLC thegreenfeat.com 704.451.3101 Charlotte, NC eco-friendly events consulting company

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$259,000 Fabulous Midtown Location! MLS# 859595

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Urban Pet

4149 Park rd., Charlotte, NC 28209 iN Park road ShoPPiNg CeNter.

GroominG Wednesday - Saturday Call for appointment 704.644.7019

Food and supplies Upcountry Collars $17.99 | Puppia Harnesses $25.99

Let us “green” your party, wedding, conference, meeting or any event.

Celebrate with the Earth

Life jackets starting at $19.99 | Carriers from $29.99 STorE HoUrS: Mon 12-7 | Tues-Friday 10-7 | Saturday 10-6 We carry:

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2009 GLITTERATI

MASQUERADE BALL

THE DEVIL’S LAST WALTZ  

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Dining and Nightlife Guide AMERICAN Alexander Michael’s – $ 401 W. 9th St. 704.332.6789 Brevard Court Sundries – $ 145 Brevard Court 704.342.4700 Camilles – $ 1518 E. 3rd St. 704.342.4606 Cans – $ 500 W. 5th St. 704.940.0200 Cedar Street Tavern – $ 120 N. Cedar St. 704.333.3448 Champions – $ 100 W. Trade St. - Marriott Hotel 704.333.9000 Comet Grill – $ 2224 Park Rd. 704.371.4300 Cosmos Cafe – $ 300 N. College St. 704.372.3553 Dogwood Cafe – $ 138 Brevard Court 704.376.8353 East Boulevard Grill – $ 1601 East Blvd. 704.332.2414 Ember Grille – $$$ 601 S. College St. WestinHotel 704.335.2064 Fenwick’s – $ 511 Providence Rd. 704.333.2750 Fox and Hound – $ 330 N. Tryon St. 704.333.4113 French Quarter – $ 321 S. Church St. 704.377.7415 John’s Country Kitchen – $ 1518 Central Ave. 704.333.9551 Nix – $ 201 N. Tryon St. 704.347.2739 Pike’s Soda Shop – $ 1930 Camden Rd. 704.372.0097 Presto Bar and Grill – $ 445 W. Trade St. 704.334.7088 Providence Café – $ $ 829 Providence R d. 704.376.2008 Providence Road Sundries – $ 1522 Providence Rd. 704.366.4467 Rock Bottom – $ 401 N. Tryon St. 704.334.2739 Selwyn Pub – $ 2801 Selwyn Ave. 704.333.3443 Simmons Fourth Ward Restaurant – $ 516 N. Graham St. 704.334.6640 Something Classic Café – $ 715 Providence Rd. 704.347.3666 South 21 – $ 3101 E. Independence Blvd. 704.377.4509 Southend Brewery – $$ 2100 South Blvd. 704.358.4677 Stool Pigeons – $ 214 N. Church St. 704.358.3788 The Gin Mill South End – $ 1411 S. Tryon St. 704.373.0782 The Graduate – $ 123 W. Trade St. 704.358.3024 The Penguin – $ 1921 Commonwealth Ave. 704.375.6959 The Philosopher’s Stone – $ 1958 E. Seventh St. 704.350.1331 The Pub – $ 710 West Trade St. 704.333.9818 Thomas Street Tavern – $ 1218 Thomas Ave. 704.376.1622 Tic Toc Coffeeshop – $ 512 N. Tryon St. 704.375.5750 Union Grille – $ 222 E 3rd St. – Hilton Towers 704.331.4360 Vinnie’s Sardine – $ 1714 South Blvd. 704-332-0006 Zack’s Hamburgers – $ 4009 South Blvd. 704.525.1720

AMERICAN MODERN 131 Main – $$ 1315 East Blvd. 300 East – $$ 300 East Blvd.

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704.343.0131 704.332.6507

Bentley’s on 27 – $$$ 201 S. College St. Fl. 27 704.343.9201 (Charlotte Plaza Building) Bonterra Restaurant – $$$ 1829 Cleveland Ave. 704.333.9463 Carpe Diem – $$$ 1535 Elizabeth Ave. 704.377.7976 City Tavern – $$ 1514 East Blvd. 704.343.2489 City Tavern – $$ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.334.6688 Custom Shop – $$$ 1601 Elizabeth Ave. 704.333.3396 Fig Tree – $$$ 1601 E. Seventh St. 704.332.3322 Harry & Jeans 201 S. Tryon St. 704.333.4300 Lulu – $$ 1911 Central Ave. 704.376.2242 McNinch House – $$$ 511 N. Church St. 704.332.6159 Mimosa Grill – $$ 301 S. Tryon St. 704.343.0700 Monticello – $$ 235 N. Tryon St. – Dunhill Hotel 704.342.1193 Pewter Rose Bistro – $$ 1820 South Blvd. 704.332.8149 Ratcliffe on the Green – $$ 435 S. Tryon St. 704.358.9898 Taverna 100 – $$$ 100 N. Tryon St. – Founder’s Hall 704.344.0515 Town Restaurant – $$ 710 W. Trade St. 704.379.7555 Zink – $$ 201 N. Tryon St. 704.444.9001

ASIAN 88 China Bistro – $ 1620 E. 4th St. 704.335.0288 Basil Thai – $ 210 N. Church St. 704.332.7212 China King – $ 128 Brevard Ct. 704.334-7770 China Queen Buffet – $ 127 N. Tryon St. Ste 3 704.377.1928 China Saute – $ 2214 Park Rd 704.333.1116 Creation – $ 1221-A The Plaza 704.372.2561 Cuisine Malaya – $ 1411 Elizabeth Ave. 704.372.0766 Dim Sum – $ 2920 Central Ave. 704.569.1128 Eggroll King – $ 8907 Steelechase Dr. 704.372.6401 Emperor Chinese – $ 337 S. Kings Dr. 704.333.2688 Fortune Cookie – $ 208 East Independence Blvd. 704.377.1388 Fujiyama – $ 320 S. Tryon St. 704.334.5158 Fuse Box – $ 227 W. Trade St. 704.376.8885 Ginbu 401 – $ 401 Providence Rd. 704.372.2288 Great Wok – $ 718 W Trade St. Ste M 704.333.0080 Ho Ho China Bistro – $ 1742 Lombardy Cir. 704.376.0807 Hong Kong – $ 1713 Central Ave. 704.376.6818 Koko – $ 6609 Elfreda Rd. 704.338.6869 Monsoon Thai Cuisine – $ 2801 South Blvd. 704.523.6778 Orient Express – $ 3200 N Graham St. 704.332.6255 Pho An Hoa – $ 4832 Central Ave. 704.537.2595 Pho Hoa – $ 3000 Central Ave. 704.536.7110 SOHO Bistro – $ 214 N Tryon St. 704.333.5189

Thai Taste – $ 324 East Blvd. 704.332.0001 Taipei Express – $ 731 Providence Rd. 704.334.2288 Tin Tin Box & Noodles – $ 101 N. Tryon St. 704.377.3223 Zen Asian Fusion – $ 1716 Kenilworth Ave. 704.358.9688

BAKERY Cloud 9 Confections – $ 201 S. College St. Suite 270 Great Harvest Bread – $ 901 S. Kings Dr. Marguerite’s Bakery – $ 2424 N. Davidson St. Nova’s Bakery – $ 1511 Central Ave. Panera Bread – $ 601 Providence Rd.

704.334.7554 704.333.0431 704.675.5756 704.333.5566 704.374.0581

BARBEQUE Art’s Barbecue – $ 900 E. Morehead St. 704.334.9424 Jolina Tex Mex & BBQ – $ 500 S. College St. 704.375.0994 Mac’s Speed Shop – $ 2511 South Blvd. 704.522.6227 Rib Palace – $ 1300 Central Ave. 704.333.8841

Dilworth Coffee – $ 1235 East Blvd # B, 704.358.8003 330 S Tryon St, 704.334.4575 Dilworth Playhouse Cafe – $ 1427 South Blvd. 704.632.0336 Einstein Brothers – $ $ - 201 S. Tryon St. 704.332.4015 Einstein Brothers – $ 1501 South Blvd. 704.333.4370 Java Passage – $ 101 W. Worthington 704.277.6558 Jump N Joe’s Java Joint – $ 105 E. Morehead St. 704.372.3217 La Tea Da’s – $ 1942 E. 7th St. 704.372.9599 Nova’s Bakery – $ 1511 Central Ave. 704.333.5566 PJ’s Coffee & Lounge - $ 210 E. Trade St. (Epicentre) 704.688.0366 Port City Java – $ 214 N. Tryon St. (Hearst) 704.335.3335 SK Netcafe – $ 1425 Elizabeth Ave. 704.334.1523 Starbucks – $ 545 Providence Rd. 704.372.1591 Starbucks – $ 101 S. Tryon St. 704.374.9519 Tic Toc Coffee shop – $ 704.375.5750 512 N. Tryon St.

DELI

Adams 7th Street Market – $ 401 Hawthorne Ln. 704.334.0001 Art’s Barbecue – $ 900 E. Morehead St. 704.334.9424 Art’s Barbecue – $ Blynk – $ 900 E. Morehead St. 704.334.9424 Coffee Cup – $ 200 S. Tryon 704.522.3750 914 S. Clarkson St. 704.375.8855 Common Market – $ 2007 Commonwealth Ave. 704.334-6209 Einstein Brothers – $ Dikadee’s Deli – $ 201 S. Tryon St. 704.332.4015 1419 East Blvd. 704.333.3354 Einstein Brothers – $ 1501 South Blvd. 704.333.4370 Dogwood Cafe – $ 704.376.8353 IHOP – $ 138 Brevard Court 2715 E. Independence Blvd. 704.334.9502 Fresco Cafe & Deli – $ 3642 Moultrie St. Monticello – $$ 704.376.5777 235 N. Tryon St. – Dunhill Hotel 704.342.1193 Grand Central Deli – $ Owen’s Bagel & Deli – $ 101 N. Tryon St. 704.348.7032 2041 South Blvd. 704.333.5385 Great Harvest Bread Co. – $ Tic Toc Coffeeshop – $ 901 S. Kings Dr. 704.333.0431 512 N. Tryon St. 704.375.5750 Groucho’s Deli – $ 201 N. Tryon St. 704.342.0030 BRITISH Halfpenny’s – $ 30 Two First Union Ctr. 704.342.9697 Big Ben’s Pub – $ Jersey Mike’s Subs – $ 128 S. Tryon St. 704.343.0006 801 Providence R d. 704.334.6338 Jersey Mikes Subs – $ CAJUN & CREOLE 2001 E. 7th St. 704.375.1985 Jump N Joe’s Java Joint – $ Boudreaux’s Louisiana Kitchen – $ 105 E. Morehead St. 704.372.3217 Laurel Market South – $ 501 E. 36th St. 704.331.9898 1515 South Blvd. 704.334.2185 Cajun Queen – $$ Leo’s Delicatessen – $ 1800 E 7th St. 704.377.9017 1421 Elizabeth Ave. 704.375.2400 C A R I B B E A N Li’l Dino – $ 401 S. Tryon St. 704.342.0560 Matt’s Chicago Dog – $ Anntony’s Caribbean Cafe – $ 425 S. Tryon St. 704.333.3650 2001 E. 7th St. 704.342.0749 Owen’s Bagel & Deli – $ Austin’s Caribbean Cuisine – $ 2041 South Blvd. 704.333.5385 345 S. Kings Dr. 704.331.8778 Philadelphia Deli – $ CHINESE 1025 S. Kings Dr. 704.333.4489 Phil’s Tavern – $ 105 E. Fifth St. 704.347.0035 88 China Bistro – $ Rainbow Café – $ 1620 E. 4th St. 704.335.0288 400 South Tryon 704.332.8918 Vanloi Chinese Barbecue – $ Reid’s – $ 3101 Central Ave. 704.566.8808 225 E. 7th St. 704.377.1312 Wok Express – $ Ri-Ra Irish Pub – $ 601 S. Kings Dr. 704.375.1122 208 N. Tryon St 704.333.5554 Salvador Deli – $ COFFEE SHOPS N. Davidson St. 704.334.2344 Sammy’suptown Deli – $ Caribou Coffee – $ www.uptownclt.com 65 1113 Pecan Ave. 704.376.1956 100 N. Tryon St. 704.372.5507

BREAKFAST

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Dining and Nightlife Guide Sandwich Club – $ 525 N. Tryon St. Sandwich Club – $ 435 S. Tryon St. Substation II - $ 1601 South Blvd 1941 E. 7th St.

704.334.0133 704.344.1975 704-332-3100 704-358-8100

DESSERT Crave the Dessert Bar – $ 501 W. 5th St. 704.277.9993 Dairy Queen – $ 1431 Central Ave. 704.377.4294 Dolce Ristorante – $$ 1710 Kenilworth Ave. 704.332.7525 Luce Ristorante – $$ 214 N. Tryon St. – Hearst Plaza 704.344.9222 Monticello – $$ 235 N. Tryon St.– Dunhill Hotel 704.342.1193

ECLECTIC The Melting Pot – $$$ 901 S. Kings Dr. Stuite 140-B 704.548.2431 Therapy Cafe – $ 401 N. Tryon St. 704.333.1353 The Fig Tree – $$ 1601 E. 7th St. 704.332.3322

FRENCH Terra – $$ 545-B Providence Rd.

704.332.1886

GREEK Greek Isles – $$ 200 E. Bland St. Little Village Grill – $ 710-G W. Trade St. Showmars – $ 214 N. Tryon St.

704.444.9000 704.347.2184 704.333.5833

INDIAN Copper – $$ 311 East Blvd. Maharani – $ 901 S. Kings Dr. Suruchi’s – $ 129 W. Trade St.

704.333.0063 704.370.2824 704.372.7333

Carrabba’s Italian Grill – $$ 1520 South Blvd. 704.377.2458 Coco Osteria – $$  214 N. Tryon St.–Hearst Plaza 704.344.8878 Dolce Ristorante – $$ 1710 Kenilworth Ave. 704.332.7525 Fig Tree – $$$ 1601 E. 7th St. 704.332.3322 Frankie’s Italian Grille – $$ 800 E. Morehead St. 704.358.8004 Hawthorne’s NY Pizza – $ 1701 E. 7th St. 704.358.9339 Intermezzo Pizzeria & Café – $ 1427 E. 10th St. 704.347.2626 Little Italy – $ 2221 Central Ave. 704.375.1625

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L AT I N Cloud 9 Confections – $ 201 S. College St. 704.334.7554 Latorre’s – $$ 118 W. 5th St. 704.377.4448 Coffee Cup – $ 914 S. Clarkson St. 704.375.8855

M E AT & T H R E E Dish – $ 1220 Thomas Ave. 704.344.0343 Mert’s Heart & Soul – $ 214 N. College St. 704.342.4222 Blue – $$$ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.927.2583 Intermezzo Pizzeria & Café – $ 1427 E. 10th Street 704.347.2626

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Luce Ristorante & Bar – $$$ 214 N. Tryon St. – Hearst Plaza 704.344.9222 Mama Ricotta’s – $$ 601 S. Kings Dr. 704.343.0148 Open Kitchen – $ 1318 W. Morehead St. 704.375.7449 Pasta & Provisions – $ 1528 Providence Rd. 704.364.2622 Portofino’s Italian – $$ 3124 Eastway Dr. 704.568.7933 Primo Ristorante – $$ 116 Middleton Dr. 704.334.3346 Cafe Siena – $$ 230 N. College St. 704.602.2750 Salute Ristorante – $$ 613 Providence Rd 704.342.9767 Terra – $$ 545-B Providence Rd. 704.332.1886 Villa Francesca 321 Caldwell St. 704.333.7447 Volare – $$ 1523 Elizabeth Ave. 704.370.0208 Zio Authentic Italian – $$ 116 Middleton Dr. 704.344.0100

uptown

Cabo Fish Taco – $ 3201 N. Davidson St. Johnny Burrito – $ 301 S. Tryon St. La Paz – $$ 1910 South Blvd. Phat Burrito – $ 1537 Camden Rd. Salsarita’s – $ 101 S. Tryon St. Taqueria La Unica – $ 2801 Central Ave.

704.332.8868 704.371.4448 704.372.4168 704.332.7428 704.342.0950 704.347.5115

MIDDLE EASTERN Kabob Grill – $ 1235-B East Blvd.

704.371.8984

OUTDOOR DINING Big Ben’s Pub – $$ 801 Providence Rd. Cans Bar – $ 500 W. 5th St.

704.334.6338 704.940.0200

East Boulevard Grill – $ 1601 East Blvd. 704.332.2414 Ember Grille – $$$ 601 S. College St. - Westin Hotel 704.335.2064 Ri-Ra Irish Pub – $ 208 N. Tryon St 704.333.5554 Sullivan’s – $$$ 1928 South Blvd. 704.335.8228 The Corner Pub – $ 335 N. Graham St. 704.376.2720

PIZZA Brixx – $ 225 East 6th St. 704.347.2749 Donato’s Pizza - $ 718-A West Trade St 704.714.4743 Domino’s Pizza – $ 343 S. Kings Dr. 704.331.9847 Fuel Pizza – $ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.350.1680 Fuel Pizza – $ 1501 Central Ave. 704.376.3835 Hawthorne’s NY 1701 E. 7th St. 704.358.9339 Latta Pizza – $ 320 S. Tryon St. 704.333.4015 Papa John’s Pizza – $ 1620 E. 4th St. 704.375.7272 Picasso’s – $ 214 N. Church St. 704.331.0133 Pie Town – $$ 710 W. Trade St. 704.379.7555 Pizza Hut – $ 901 S. Kings Dr. 704.377.7006 Rudino’s Pizza & Grinders – $ 2000 South Blvd. - Atherton Mill 704.333.3124 UNO Chicago Grill – $ 401 S. Tryon St. 704.373.0085 Villa Francesca 321 Caldwell St. 704.333.7447 Zio Authentic Italian – $ 116 Middleton Dr. 704.344.0100

QUICK BITES Bojangles’ – $ 310 E Trade St. 704.335.1804 Boston Market – $ 829 Providence Rd. 704.344.0016 Burger King – $ 310 E. Trade St. 704.334.3312 Chick-fil-A – $ 101 S. Tryon St. 704.344.0222 Chicks Restaurant – $ 320 S. Tryon St. – Latta Arcade 704.358.8212 Church’s – $ 1735 W. Trade St. 704.332.2438 Dairy Queen – $ 1431 Central Ave. 704.377.4294 Domino’s Pizza – $ 343 S. Kings Dr. 704.331.9847 Fuel Pizza – $ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.350.1680 Fuel Pizza – $ 1501 Central Ave. 704.376.3835 Green’s Lunch – $ 309 W. 4th St. 704.332.1786 Mr. K’s – $ 2107 South Blvd. 704.375.4318 Papa John’s Pizza – $ 1620 E. 4th St 704.375.7272

Pasta & Provisions – $ 1528 Providence Rd. 704.364.2622 Pita Pit – $ 214 N. Tryon St. 704.333.5856 Quiznos Sub – $ 127 N. Tryon St. 704.374.9921 Quizno’s – $ 320 S. Tryon St. – Latta Arcade 704.372.8922 Roly Poly Sandwiches – $ 317 S. Church St. 704.332.6375 Sbarro – $ 101 S. Tryon St. 704.332.5005 Simply Subs – $ 212 S. Tryon St. 704.333.0503 Smoothie King – $ Epicentre - 210 Trade St. 704.979.6911 Smoothie King – $ One Wachovia Center 704.374.0200 Spoons – $ 415 Hawthorne Ln. 704.376.0874 Woody’s Chicago Style – $ 320 S. Tryon St. - Latta Arcade 704.334.0010 Zack’s Hamburgers – $ 4009 South Blvd. 704.525.1720

S E A F O O D Aquavina – $$$ 435 S. Tryon St. 704.377.9911 Cabo Fish Taco – $ 3201 N. Davidson St. 704.332.8868 Capital Grille – $$$ 201 N. Tryon St. 704.348.1400 Fig Tree –$$$ 1601 E. Seventh St. 704.332.3322 GW Fins – $$ 525 N. Tryon S 704.716.3467 LaVecchia’s – $$$ 225 E. 6th St. 704.370.6776 McCormick & Schmick’s – $$$ 200 South Tryon St. 704.377.0201 McIntosh’s – $$$ 1812 South Blvd. 704.342.1088 Outback Steakhouse – $$ 1412 East Blvd. 704.333.2602

SOUTHERN & SOUL Lupie’s Cafe – $ 2718 Monroe Rd. 704.374.1232 Mert’s Heart and Soul – $ 214 N. College St 704.342.4222 Price’s Chicken Coop – $ 1614 Camden Rd. 704.333.9866 Savannah Red – $$ 100 W. Trade St. 704.333.9000 Marriott City Center

S P A N I S H Arpa Tapas – $$$ 121 W. Trade St. 704.372.7792 Sole Spanish Grille – $$$ 1608 East blvd.. 704.343.9890

S T E A K H O U S E Beef & Bottle – $$$ 4538 South Blvd. Capital Grille – $$$ 201 N. Tryon St.

704.523.9977 704.348.1400

www.uptownclt.com

9/28/2009 12:36:43 PM

Dining and Nightlife Guide Chima – $$$ 139 S. Tryon St. 980.225.5000 LaVecchia’s – $$$ 225 E. 6th St. 704.370.6776 Longhorn Steakhouse – $$ 700 E. Morehead St. 704.332.2300 McIntosh’s – $$$ 1812 South Blvd. 704.342.1088 Morton’s – $$$ 227 W.Trade St.- Carillon bldg. 704.333.2602 Outback Steakhouse – $$ 1412 East Blvd. 704.333.2602 Ruth’s Chris – $$$ 222 S. Tryon St. 704.338.9444 Sullivan’s – $$$ 1928 South Blvd. 704.335.8228

S U S H I Cosmos Cafe – $$ 300 N. College St. Fujo Uptown Bistro – $$ 301 S. College St KO Sushi – $$ 230 S. Tryon St. Nikko – $$ 1300-F South Blvd. Restaurant i – $$ 1524 East Blvd. Ru-San’s Sushi – $$ 2440 Park Rd.

704.372.3553 704.954.0087 704.372.7757 704.370.0100 704.333.8118 704.374.0008

T A P A S Arpa Tapas – $$$ 121 W. Trade St. Cosmos Cafe – $$ 300 N. College St.

704.372.7792 704.372.3553

V E G E T A R I A N Blynk – $ 200 S. Tryon 704.522.3750 Dish – $ 1220 Thomas Ave. 704.344.0343 Something Classic Café – $ 715 Providence Rd. 704.347.3666

V I E T N A M E S E Pho An Hoa – $ 4832 Central Ave.

704.537.2595

B A R S Amos SouthEnd – $ 1423 S. Tryon St. 704.377.6874 Apostrophe Lounge – $$ 1400 S. Tryon St. 704.371.7079 BAR Charlotte – $ 300 N. College St. 704.342.2557 Big Ben’s Pub – $$ 801 Providence Rd. 704.334.6338 Buckhead Saloon – $ 201 E. 5th St. 704.370.0687 Cans Bar – $ 500 W. 5th St. 704.940.0200 Cedar Street Tavern – $ 120 N. Cedar St. 704.333.3448 Connolly’s on 5th – $ 115 E. 5th St. 704.358.9070 Cosmos – $$ 300 N. College St. 704.375.8765 Coyote Ugly – $ 521 N. College St. 704.347.6869 Crave the Dessert Bar – $ 501 W. 5th St. 704.277.9993 Dilworth Bar & Grille 911 E. Morehead St. 704.377.3808

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Dilworth Billiards 300 E. Tremont Ave. 704.333.3021 Dixie’s Tavern 301 E. 7th St. 704.374.1700 DoubleDoor Inn 218 E. Independence Blvd. 704.376.1446 Ed’s Tavern 2200 Park Rd. 704.335.0033 Evening Muse 3227 N. Davidson St. 704.376.3737 Fox and Hound – $ 330 N. Tryon St. 704.333.4113 Hartigans Pub – $ 601 S. Ceder St. 704.347.1841 Hawthorne’s NY Pizza – $ 1701 E. 7th St. 704.358.9339 Howl at the Moon – $ 210 E. Trade St. 704.936.4695 Jillian’s SouthEnd – $ 300 E. Bland Street 704.376.4386 Loft 1523 – $$ 1523 Elizabeth Ave. 704.333.5898 Madison’s – $$ 115 Fifth St. 704.299.0580 Morehead Tavern – $ 300 East Morehead St. 704.334.2655 Phil’s Tavern – $ 105 E. Fifth St. 704.347.0035 Picasso’s – $ 214 N. Church St. 704.331.0133 PJ’s Coffee & Lounge - $ 210 E. Trade St. (Epicentre) 704.688.0366 Pravda – $$ 300 N. College St. 704.375.8765 Presto Bar and Grill – $ 445 W. Trade St. 704.334.7088 Ri-Ra Irish Pub – $ 208 N. Tryon St 704.333.5554 Selwyn Pub – $ 2801 Selwyn Ave. 704.333.3443 Stool Pigeons – $ 214 N. Church St. 704.358.3788 Suite – $ 210 E. Trade St. 704.999.7934 The Attic – $ 200 N. Tryon St. 704.358.4244 The Corner Pub – $ 335 N. Graham St. 704.376.2720 The Forum – $$ 300 N. College St. 704.375.8765 The Gin Mill – $ 1411 S. Tryon St. 704.373.0782 The Penguin – $ 1921 Commonwealth Ave. 704.375.6959 The Pub – $ 710 West Trade St. 704.333.9818 Thomas Street Tavern – $ 1218 Thomas St. 704.376.1622 Tilt – $$ 127 W. Trade St. 704.347.4870 Town Tavern – $ 200 N. Tryon Tremont Music Hall – $ 400 W Tremont Ave. 704.343.9494 Tutto Mondo – $ 1820 South Blvd. 704.332.8149 Tyber Creek Pub – $ 1933 South Blvd. 704.343.2727 Vinnie’s Sardine – $ 1714 South Blvd. 704.332.0006 Visulite Theater – $ 1615 Elizabeth Ave. 704.358.9250 Whiskey River – $ 210 E. Trade St. 704.749.1097

www.uptownclt.com

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9/28/2009 12:36:44 PM

Uptown Condo Not Going Up? DON’T LOSE YOUR DEPOSIT! Visit Celadon, where modern architecture and nature converge. For a very limited time, we’ll credit the amount of your deposit* at The Vue, Catalyst, 210 Trade or the Park towards a similarly priced home at Celadon, just ¼ mile from Uptown, at 1715 W. 4th St. Ext.

Compare these features: Features

Celadon

MOVE IN TODAY MONTHLY HOA DUES

$157

Vue 2010(?) $388

KITCHEN Fisher & Paykel 5-burner gas cooktop Fisher & Paykel dual DishDrawer Blum slow-closing cabinet hardware

electric range single dishwasher NA

BATHS Dual showers in master Stand-alone soaking tub Enclosed w/c in master 2 ft. x 2 ft.porcelain tile

single √ NA NA

GENERAL Solid core doors 10' ceilings on main living level Multi-zone automatically dampered Bryant/Carrier HVAC Private garage with quiet-track belt-drive opener

NA 9’ single zone shared parking deck

SITE Direct greenway access Tree-lined neighborhood streets with sidewalks 1/4 acre private wooded preserve

NA urban NA

GREEN FEATURES Energy Star qualified--30% lower utility bills LEED certified (pending) Tankless gas hot water heaters Recycled cellulose insulation Dual flush toilets Solar Panels

www.celadongreenway.com 68 uptown www.uptownclt.com

NA NA NA NA NA NA

call 704.968.3655 for details

*Conditions apply, act soon!

October 09.indd 68

9/28/2009 12:37:17 PM