2015 Charlotte and Huntersville Elections

On September 11, 2015, when this campaign ad appeared on my vehicle's dashboard for "Clodfelter for Mayor," my first thought was marketing has come a long way.  My second thought was why is this ad being run on a predominantly Black radio channel for Soul and Rhythm and Blues music?

I believe, the mayoral results ended up with a run-off election between Clodfelter and Jennifer Roberts. Jennifer Robers won the run-off election.

Meanwhile, as I write this article on Election Day, I hope that the citizens of Huntersville, NC vote against increasing the commissioners terms from two to four years.  Apparently, the politicians have gotten too comfortable in their positions and want to save campaign monies every two years. 

I am looking to see a bigger push for HOA laws.  I am also looking for this tree to get trimmed off of the sidewalk. 

Interstate 77 and Exit 25

 I see some deficiencies in leadership.  While no one is perfect, getting too comfortable in office is not a safe thing for the citizens of Huntersville, NC.

Janet Jackson Unbreakable Tour Charlotte 2015

Photo credits: Twitter

Shoes: custom Giuseppe zanotti?

She slayed the stage at the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, NC.

The hair was flawless!

I have been a long, long, long time fan of Janet Jackson.  Love her!!!!

Three paradigms about the Black Community

Question:  How is it that a White man can shoot up a movie theater during a Batman movie and live to stand trial, but it is "open season" on the unarmed Black men running in the opposite direction of the police officer?

Paradigm #1 (one White female perspective)
Imma tell you the truth . . .  can you handle it? Cops aren't afraid of white kids.  White kids weren't taught to hate cops.  Or kill cops.  And that is the truth.  Spoken DIRECTLY to me from the mouths of many cops-white and black.  Fix the culture and maybe things can begin to change.  Sitting back and calling everyone racist and continuting to pose as victims has gotten the black community nowhere. This is the end of this conversation for me.  All of you have a nice day. :-)

The same person continues with this:
From the mouth of a black cop who is a very close family friend of ours "when I pull over a black kid in Charlotte, I am waiting to be attacked.  I'm on the defense immediately because I know they have no respect for me as an authority figure and I know if some one is going home in a body bag, it ain't gonna be me". Just stating the truth because I'm not aftraid of it.  You can't change what you don't acknowledge.  It's easier for the black community to blame whites for everything than to stand up and take action in their own communities.  The black on black crime in the U.S. is staggering, but what's being done about that? Perpetuating the victim mentality has gotten us nowhere.

Paradigm #2 (One Black male perspective):
It's not about black businesses anymore. It's more about blacks doing better business! This stuff that's going on is all political if you ask me! Just to push more unnecessary laws too divide this country more socially than economically.  Cause we have black billionaire and milionaires and a black president!  What are they doing to help the black community.  Oprah, Tyler Perry, JayZ &B. talk about they private islands. Why don't they open up grocery store chain's or restaurant's daycare's, clinics?  We blacks have to start taking more ownership for our community problems.


Paradigm #3 My perspective (one Black female perspective):
Ultimately, Blacks make their own decisions to fight each other, but sometimes Whites set up the scenarios. Major drug shipments has to be operated by non-Black, but that area is not my expertise.  Also, President Barack Obama is the President of all people.  He has served all American well.  I did not expect a miracle; just a scandal free term.

I continue:
Blacks are often trying to provide for their own families with less money.  They can not possibly control the Black community singlehandedly.  I am going to be truthful as well; there has always been the "house negro" and the "field negro" - you could tell the difference by their attire.  In modern society, educated Blacks want to have the option of wearing anything they want, but apparently, as it was in the 1960's, if you don't have on your Sunday best, then educated or not, Blacks need to look out for "open season."  Saddening to me.  I see people for people.  I try not to discriminate. I cannot change "gang violence."  However, if Blacks were offered better wages and better opportunities to provide for their families, then all Blacks will do better.  It is about survival.  The answer to Black on Black crime is within the White or non-Black community.  Stop setting Blacks up to fight with each other.  I have seen Whites start and stir drama in the Black community.  Unfortunately, some Blacks are ignorant enought to listen these shady Whites and follow suit while the Whites sit back and laugh at the Negros fighting.  Legal economic empowerment can solve a lot of problems within the Black community.  Support Black businesses.

I continue:
You change the beliefs, and actions will follow.  Apparently, if cops believe that Black children or adults are more dangerous than any other race, then that is discrimination based on race.

DISCLAIMER:  These statements are not in the original order of dialogue flow, but they were worthy statements.

What is your paradigm?

Sidewalks make Pedestrian Traffic More safe!

Pictured above is Gilead Road overpass bridge over Interstate 77 in September 2013 in Huntersville, NC.  I have been told that NC State DOT owns this road. Did you notice that the excessive amount of foot traffic has created a path in the grass leading into vehicular traffic?

Update:  As of October 2013, the lines have been added  to this overpass bridge to redefine the shoulder area making it a safer bridge to walk across.  Yes!  A great improvement!

Another Charlotte, NC example:

Guess where this temporary pedestrian path dumps you out?  The streets along the parking lot at Northlake Mall.  September 2013 is when this picture was taken.  The sidewalk from the primary public bus stop is closed off to build what looks like a new parking lot for the H&M store, but in the meantime, transit riders have to dodge traffic to actually get into the mall.

November 2013 update:  parking lot and walkway finished at Northlake Mall.  

For those who recognize more and more people walking on the streets or in the grass where there is no pavement,  would you please assist me in identiftying the streets like the ones pictured above that need more sidewalks in order to keep pedestrians safe and drivers from having an accident?

Larger cities know that citizens use public transit.  Installing sidewalks as a standard along most roads makes life easier for those without personal vehicles.

However,  in Charlotte, our bus routes are limited, and there are still many people who are walking through the grass and in the street trying to get to food and groceries.

Let's not forget that walking is good exercise! Most pedestrians are at least wearing light colored clothing so that the headlights at night will reflect on them alerting drivers that there is someone walking.

I for one am still concerned that someone driving and talking on a cell phone at the same time is going to accidently hit someone during the night or daytime hours.

I am going to start the list of streets that need more sidewalks in the metro Charlotte, NC area.  Please feel free to add additional streets in the comment section or contact me directly to add your input.

Streets to add more sidewalks to:
1) West Harris Boulevard between Mallard Creek Road and Davis Lake shopping center
2) Harris Road/Eastfield between Popular Tent Road and Prosperity Church Road.
3) Statesville Road between Rich Hatchett Road and Gilead Road
4) Gilead Road and the Interstate 77 overpass/bridge
5) Independence Boulevard between Eastway/Wendover overpass and the Walmart store (needs a crossing over Independence Blvd)

Thanks in advance to city officials who will work to make Charlotte's quality of life safer and healthier by looking out for pedestrians.

Update: 6/11/2014

Pictured is the front page of Charlotte Observer newspaper on Sunday, June 8, 2014.  The concern for pedestrians in South End Charlotte warranted the front page cover while I have seen people run across Independence Boulevard, jumping over cement barricades within seconds of fast approaching cars.  I am certain the death toil of pedestrians on Independence Boulevard is far higher than congested SouthEnd.

The American Presidential Experience Exhibit 2012

For $14.95 per adult, you can enjoy the American Presidential Experience! The non-partisan exhibit is running from August 31 to September 8, 2012 in Charlotte, NC. Pictured is a replica of The Resolute Desk with Kneehole.

Pictured is the desk area in the replica of Air Force One. Photography by Benita Blocker.

Pictured is a replica of the 1961 Lincoln Presidential Limousine during President Kennedy's timeframe.

Pictured is the 15 Electoral votes that the state of NC carries. It shows that the DNC was in Charlotte, NC in 2012.

Pictured is a replica of the Press conference podium.
These pictures represent just some of the highlights of the exhibit! You will have to check it out for yourself!

Savoir Faire Health and Beauty Expo Charlotte 2012

There were "hits" and "misses" with the Savoir Faire Health and Beauty Expo Charlotte - May 2012. So let's talk about the misses first. Vendors who use "social media" never saw a webpage for the expo event to even point their fans too. So as vendors our hands were tied. I was sent a pdf file that I could not upload to a "social media" website because of the format of the file. I was sent 10 tickets to hand out, but the tickets looked "cheap" even with the "ten dollar value" written on them. The event programs were distributed the same week of the event in selected Charlotte locations, but the program had a lot of issues. The graphic quality of the program was overall poor quality. Many vendors did not see a final proof of their ad. The program had no definite timeframes nor a lineup for the fashion show components. It actually reminded me of a "Souvenir booklet" that was put together by a sorority or a fraternity for their "Cotillion" or "Debutante" event except the sorority/fraternity booklets do have a "line-up."

The owner was very interested in promoting her magazine which we as vendors don't mind helping out, but we each know our fan base, and we know better how to promote to our fan base. Unfortunately, we were not given anything of high graphic quality to help her promote the event. Many vendors were uncertain if the event would hold due to the limited marketing.

Now, let's talk more about the "hits." The fashions were absolutely fabulous, but most of the fashion show presentations were done after the crowds and vendors had begun leaving. The MC did not have a fashion show lineup so he "closed" out the event or the fashion show multiple times. Everyone kept thinking the event was "over" but then another 15 minutes later more fashions would start. It was 7 pm and more fashions were headed down the runway.

The models looked great and actually worked the runway quite nicely. I got a feeling that they were going to be offered more runway jobs. This was good exposure and good practice for the models without having an extremely big crowd at one time.

I also want to add that there were other "bigger name" events going on all over Charlotte. Alvin Ailey dancers were touring in uptown. The New Edition concert was at Bojangles Coliseum. D.L Hughley and Pauly Shore were headlining at the Comedy Zone located in the NC Music Factory. CMC was hosting a free Health and Wellness event at their University Hospital. There was a warehouse sale in Huntersville that people of traveling to. Should I say more?

The networking amongst the vendors were great! Many vendors made quality contacts even if they did not sell as much merchandise as they desired.

There were a lot of free 10 minute massages. Many people received multiple sessions during the slow periods.

Fashions came from Impressions Bridal and Formal Wear out of Concord as well as 7 Complete Fashions Boutique out of Charlotte.

Runway Models included Elaine Apparicio, Joshua Hartung, Amelia Livingston, and Alisa Smith.

The fashions ranged from evening wear to dressy casual to lingerie.

Vendors did get to present to the crowds in their own way.

Paul Mitchell School even completed a presentation.

On a separate note, If you are hosting an event that you want coverage on, then please let us know!

Use the CATS Village Rider to lose weight and save money!

For seventy (70) cents, you can get from the Lake Norman area to the NorthLake mall. Upon arrival at the NorthLake Mall bus stop, you will have a 10 minute walk ahead and a two story mall to walk around and shop in.

If you need to visit a bank, a cellular phone store, a dollar" store or even a "SuperTarget" discount store, then you are still within a 10 minute walk to all of those places of interest.

So you are worried about time? Here is a simple $1.40 round trip that consumes about 3 hours of your time in order to eat, exercise, and run errands:

7:45 am Catch Village Rider Route 98 for seventy cents and obtain a transfer ticket.

8:00 am Exit the bus at the Food Lion shopping center and walk over to Hardee's restaurant for breakfast.

8:30 am Use your transfer ticket to catch the Village Rider Route 99 outside of Hardee's.

8:50 am Exit the bus at NorthLake Mall, Walk to BB&T to bank, Walk to SuperTarget for miscellaneous lightweight supplies.

9:45 am Finish up all area shopping and walk back to NorthLake Mall bus stop.

10:00 am Catch the Village Rider 99 for seventy cents and obtain a transfer ticket.

10:30 am Use your transfer ticket to catch the Village Rider 98 back to your original pickup location.

Not a bad deal for under $2.00! Just don't forget to wear sneakers and take a small umbrella!

The CATS Village Rider bus also runs pass the Presbyterian Huntersville Hospital as well as the Carolinas Healthcare System Urgent Care. So if you are in need of non-life threatening medical attention or just need a regular medical check-up, transportation is near. I believe that the Hospital offers a one day bus pass for those who are admitted via ambulance and are released within the same day.

I was always told to secure housing on a bus line or a public transportation route. You never know when your vehicle may break down or when gasoline prices may become unaffordable.

The CATS Village Riders service the cities of Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville. The regular riders consists of people going to work, grocery shopping, or just retired and need a change of scenery. It is the "country club" of "bus rides."

If you live in the Lake Norman area, have 1 to 3 hours to spare, and could use some exercise, then consider making your next trip a "public transportation" outing.