The Daily Buzz from Charlotte magazine

Our Blog Has Moved!

rickt — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:53:57 +0000

We’ve redesigned the magazine’s web site, and The Daily Buzz now runs on the front page of the site. All archived posts have been moved, too. Please update your bookmarks to www.charlottemagazine.com

Thanks, and see you there!

Halloween Costumes In Charlotte Now

blakemiller — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:49:31 +0000

It’s never too early to get started on your Halloween costume. Off Independence Boulevard in Matthews in the Windsor Shopping Center (Burlington Coat Factory, Monkey Joe’s, and Boyles Furniture Clearance are there, too) you’ll find the huge Spirit Halloween Superstore (9925 E. Independence Blvd.) devoted to everything ghastly including pre-packaged costumes, accessories (think Scream masks or fairy wands), and decorations for your ghostly party. I went last year the day before Halloween weekend…not recomended. But going now means beating the “holiday traffic” and possibly getting your hands on more options for a cool costume.

Boyles Clearance Outlet in Matthews is OPEN!

blakemiller — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:38:15 +0000

I promised I would let you know when the new Boyle’s Outlet finally opened…so, head over this weekend to check out the selection of everything from Tommy Bahama and Jackson Carter to LaneVenture and Lexington plus oodles of home accessories (I personally love the selection of faux floral arrangements that look so real). The store is open seven days a week. Windsor Square Center, 10025 East Independence Blvd., Matthews, NC 28105-4619, 704-846-8470.

Keep Your Curls Smooth and Wavy! I Swear!

blakemiller — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:30:01 +0000

Until recently, I’d only ever worn my hair straight or pulled back. Nothing in between. It wasn’t until I tried using this great curly cocktail of hair products that I attempted going curly. Philip B’s Drop Dead Hair Straightening balm ($22) is amazing—no exaggeration. I put that in first and comb it through. Then I throw in a dollop of Philip B’s Styling Gel ($18), add a little heat from a diffuser and ta-da! My hair is now curly and wavy and smooth and, well, WOW. I wouldn’t have thought to post this except I’ve been asked so many times what products I’ve been using to get my hair just right that I felt I needed to share the “secret.” The only place you can purchase Philip B in Charlotte is at Jeffre Scott Apothecary (607 Providence Road, 704-339-0010). And it’s well worth it if you’re craving some wavy/curly locks that don’t look (or feel) crunchy and untouchable.

We Love BECCA Lip Color!

blakemiller — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:12:09 +0000

This weekend (September 8th and 9th) stop by Potion’s East Boulevard store and meet BECCA’s national makeup artist Lynn Furge. She’ll be introducing BECCA’s fall lip colors and they’re NOT to be missed. I’ve been obsessing over the Glossy Lip Tint in Amaretto from the fall line; and it’s not just me—I’ve been receiving compliments about the lip color since the day I started wearing it. It’s long-lasting (plus #1) and the colors work well on just about every skin tone (plus #2), which means when I lose my sun-kissed tan by mid-October the color will still look just as good. A $35 reservation fee applies for the event, but that also goes toward your purchase. Call 704-347-6841 for more details and to make a reservation. Check out their Web site, too, for details on their other makeup goodies and upcoming events.

East Blvd. restaurant shakeup

rickt — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:10:46 +0000

You may have already heard that Patou has closed, and a 131 Main is opening in its place in the Latta Pavilion development between Scott and Kenilworth avenues. That’s a huge space that Patou was never able to fill, despite Rachid and Laura Ouchu’s best efforts. 131 Main is a locally owned semi-upscale American fare restaurant with locations in Ballantyne and Huntersville.

A little down the street, Jaimama closed, and construction is underway on a new burger place by Frank Scibelli, the man behind Cantina 1511 and Mama Ricotta’s. Look for a large beer list and lots of different kinds of burgers. Should be fun. —R.T.

Remembering Bill Spoon

rickt — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 21:51:42 +0000

On Friday, Bill Spoon died. Even if you never ate his barbecue, you might be familiar with his name. That was his joint down on South Boulevard (now run by his grandson, Stephen)–the one with the sign that says “We use the whole pig–it makes the difference.” Or something to that effect. Bill Spoon’s place consistently cranks out the best Eastern NC-style barbecue in the city. But it won’t be the same without Mr. Spoon behind the counter, taking IOUs, pushing the banana pudding, and rounding down bills. The Observer published a nice article today on his funeral, and I really recommend you read this profile that we published in June 2001. Written by then-senior editor Will Boye (who’s now with the Charlotte Business Journal), it’s a great piece, and it tells the story of who Spoon really was and how he started his restaurant. —R.T.

We slam the best

jarvish — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:24:45 +0000

In our April issue, we featured many of the poets who make up SlamCharlotte and the burgeoning scene they’ve created in NoDa (“These Voices Carry,” by Steve Goldberg). The story talked about how they were one of the best poetry slam teams in the country. Now they—we—are the best.

SlamCharlotte recently won first place at The National Poetry Slam 2007 held in Austin, Texas, beating out seventy-five other teams. Made up of Bluz, Bethsheba, Mike Simms, Carlos Robson, Da Minista, Paul D, and team manager Inkera, they performed twelve different, original poems during the competition.

You can catch these guys during monthly poetry slams at the McGlohon Theatre (345 N. College St.) every second or third Friday, including tonight at 8 p.m. Many of the poets also perform weekly at Wine Up (3306 N. Davidson St.).

Panthers should be mean

jarvish — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:45:33 +0000

Yesterday I attended the Carolina Panthers’ annual Countdown to Kickoff luncheon. It’s a pretty big deal, considering the fact that all of the players and coaches are in attendance. The Charlotte Sports Commission and the Charlotte Touchdown Club put on the event, now in its sixth year. This year was another sellout and the event was moved to a larger hall in the Convention Center to accommodate.

The coolest thing about this luncheon is that each table gets a Panther player or coach as their guest. This creates a lot of suspense and anticipation. Everyone is sitting there hoping they get Jake Delhomme or Steve Smith or a big-name player like that. The players are announced in order by their jersey number, they come trotting out from behind a curtain, and the emcee says which table they are being paired with. Each table is numbered. Charlotte magazine was table fifty-seven. So we’re hoping we hear that number called after a star player’s name. We got Keary Colbert. Not bad. At least I knew of him and what position he plays. Last year I hadn’t heard of the guy we got, and I’ve since forgotten his name (sorry). The year before, the magazine was paired with Julius Peppers, though this was before I started working here.

Colbert was very cool. He didn’t seem to mind the million questions we were asking him—everything from where he lives to what he does in preparation for a game. The real Q&A session, though, is more formal. A panel consisting of Coach John Fox, Delhomme, Smith, Mike Rucker, John Kasay, Dan Morgan, and Jordan Gross took the stage to answer questions about training camp and the upcoming season. They were all on their best behavior, giving some of the fluffiest responses you’ll ever hear from professional athletes—this is great, that is so much fun, what a joy, everyone works hard. To be fair, the team is made up of a bunch of nice guys. But maybe a little too nice.

Even Steve Smith has become mellow. During the Q&A session he mentioned his wife and kids several times. Awww, how sweet. I’ve met him in person a few times. We photographed him last year for our Best Of the Best (B.O.B.) cover and he was a pleasure to be around. But what happened to the Smitty who had the over-the-top touchdown celebrations and the cocky attitude. Nowadays he talks about sharing the ball more with his teammates. No, Mr. Smith. Get yours! We want no fewer than 100 receptions and 1,500 yards from you. We want the #89 from 2005. We need more attitude from our Panthers. I know the Richardsons preach good character throughout their organization, but what’s wrong with a little Randy Moss-esque sometimes. You’ll never hear Moss talk about sharing the ball. Steve, my friend, the Panthers are only as good as you make them. And tell nice-guy Julius Peppers that he’s going to need to turn over some water coolers this season.

Come on Panthers. Get cocky. Be angry. Win games!

Start tonight against the Patriots.

Last Chance for Hedwig

rickt — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:07:25 +0000

…at least until Actor’s Theatre brings it back again (hey, Dan Shoemaker and co. know a moneymaker when they see one). But back to the point. Tonight and tomorrow night are your last chances to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Actor’s Theatre. This is the third time in the past three or so years that AT has mounted the show. I saw the first one, which starred Billy Ensley, and it was highly entertaining. I recommend it. Ensley directs this show, which stars Scott Ripley, who was won pretty much every best actor award offered in town, including ours. Buy tickets here.
—R.T.