Charlotte, NC

Finally … after all this time, Charlotte’s gonna find The CURE! No, it’s not something to remedy a disease, unless it’s the “rockin’ pneumonia …” The legendary ’80’s goth/punk rockers are gonna be at the Bobcats Arena on September 17 … and I’m gettin’ word that tix are goin’ fast!

Granted, the wild hair, pale complexion and (yes) lipstick of frontman/lead songwriter Robert Smith aren’t what most rockaholics expect when groovin’ to a live beat , but ya gotta remember: these guys pioneered the “new wave” sounds that are hittin’ the airwaves these days. So what you’re gonna see, circa 2007, is no different than what we rock relics saw back in the days of Hendrix, Ice-T … even Beatles! These guys are more than a band; they’re musical historymakers!

OF COURSE, YA GOT COMEDY!

If the music isn’t your bag (It’s a shame; those cats are great!), why not head on over to SK Netcafe on Friday or Saturday nights and take in some of the area’s best improv artists? Anyone who knows the Rock Relic … er, Eagle (okay … the jig is up. Ya know now …) can tell ya he’s an improverished rockaholic from wayyyyyy back. You might as well carry a couple Ace bandages with ya, ’cause you’ll be laughin’ so hard yer sides are gonna hurt!
One thing, though: Remember, this is pretty much for the “over 18″ crowd. So, if you can round up a sitter, leave the young’uns with her, okay?
Check out the link for their website … and have a blast! You deserve it, right??

Now, if you’re a true Crown Towner, you’ve gotta be a fan of the mighty Carolina Panthers football frenzy! (Geez … do I really need to explain ‘em to ya?!?)

And these NFL giants (little “g”, please … though they could run through them Yankees any day!) are givin’ back to their fans this Saturday, AUGUST 4, at 11 AM with the humongous Panther FanFest at the Bank of America Stadium located at 800 S. Mint St.

And, man, if this doesn’t getcha pumped up for the coming football season, nothing will! It’s an all-day famfest (meaning, family fun, folks!) with music, games, the great Panther mascot, Sir Purr, Panther-themed camo and other goodies, and … yes, even the cheerleading Top Cats will be there (EAGLE NOTE: The two “TCs” who fouled have been evicted from the squad … so don’t judge the rest of the dynamic group by the actions of those two losers!)

So grab the kids and come on down to the BoA Stadium this Saturday for some great fun, and show your support for the Best Team In The NFL!! Oh … and remember to wear the colors, too!

THE CATCH OF THE CENTURY

Twice weekly, I’m gonna throw in a couple of memories from the Eagle’s vault. Sometimes funny, occasionally a tear-jerker, but always true:

It was 1962, and my Uncles Cull and Conley Vick (on mama’s side) went down to Windy Hill Pier on Ocean Drive Beach in S. C. for a bit of fishing. They both cast their lines out, and, soon, Conley was reeling in a humongous rascal that actually broke his rod and snapped the line! Flabbergasted, they soon packed it up and headed back for Pineville with one heck of a fish story!
But … the “story” was far from over …
Two years later, Conley died of prostate cancer at the age of 62. Seven years later — in 1971 — Cull returned to their old spot on the pier, remembering the incident with a chuckle. He cast out … and, with a lot of pulling and reeling and tugging, caught a huge fish that certainly could’ve fed the entire family, and then some, with one exception:
In its mouth …
was a hook … with the line, and part of a rod, bobbing behind it!
It was Uncle Conley’s near-catch from years before!
Uncle Cull laughed and cried hysterically, not believing what he’d just caught! The newspapers (especially the old Charlotte News) carried an article on the miracle, which was considered a one-in-a-million occurrence!
Now, Cull died a few years ago at the ripe old age of 95 … but never did he, nor his family, ever forget that incident!
Miracles do happen, and when ya least expect ‘em!

As I mentioned in the last blog, the historic Coffee Cup Restaurant, presently located on South Clarkson Street, will be serving its last meal sometime around Labor Day. At that time, it’ll move to its new location (at this writing, possibly uptown, though it has its long-term eye out for a spot in the Brooklyn Village development in Second Ward, which is expected to be worked on in the next few years).

The restaurant — which is sixty years old and seats only 38 customers — is not only the best spot for soul food in Charlotte; it was one of the few Southern restaurants to serve whites and African-Americans during the infamous Jim Crow years.
During its life on S. Clarkson, the Coffee Cup became a place where customers could gather and talk about whatever was on their minds, have a good (and I mean really good!) homestyle meal, and leave with their bellies full and smiles on their faces!

In March, the Charlotte City Council decided to make the Cup building an historic landmark, protecting it from immediate demolition. While a retail-residential complex around the site was being developed last year, the Beazer Properties wanted to tear down the building. Fortunately, they backed off and allowed the building to stand.

Still, construction has continued, and the proprietor, Gardine Wilson, said it’s been hard for customers to get to the restaurant due to the work going on around it. With the new historic designation, the city could hold off tearing it down; but Mr. Wilson said he and co-proprietor Anthony McCarver decided late last week to go ahead and move.

Wherever it’s moved, though, you can guarantee the thousands of more-than-satisfied customers they’ve had over the years will be following! And those that haven’t tasted their downhome, soul-filled country cookin’ will have a treat waiting for them!

So ya have until Labor Day (or thereabouts). The Eagle HIGHLY recommends this spot (oh … and take your camera! You’ll want a shot of this historic oasis to remember it by!).

Well, it’s official: The beautiful, mega-talented Beyonce Knowles will be coming to the Bobcats Arena on Sunday at 7:30 PM. Opening for her will be Robin Thicke, whose career has taken off after an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. Thicke — son of Growing Pains father Alan — is, in fact, very talented, and will give Charlotteans a heapin’ helpin’ of his “blue-eyed soul”.

But the star, of course, is the gorgeous former-lead singer of Destiny’s Child. You’re guaranteed one spectacular performance, with plenty of dance moves, hip-shakin’ and insides-quakin’ music to remember. Now, the tix range from $49.75 to $89.75 — but, as the Rock Relic said upon hearing about it, “get one while the gettin’s’ GOOD! This lady’s a modern-day ICON … she’s to TODAY’S music what ARETHA was in OUR day! This won’t be just a ’show’ … it’ll be a full-fledged EVENT you’ll wanna remember …”

After the show — at around ten o’clock or so — there’ll be an post-concernt bash at the Breakfast Club. The lady who wears the best “Freakum” dress (what?!? You mean you haven’t seen her videos??) gets $300. Admission to the digs is only ten bucks, incidentally …

QUICK WORD ABOUT THE “COFFEE CUP”

As many of you’ve already heard, the Queen City’s historic Coffee Cup Restaurant — the place to go for the best in soul food — will be moving to a new location. This Eagle roosted there a number of times over the years, chowing down on their chops, beaming over their beans, and downing more cups of coffee than I could count!
To put it mildly, I loved the place … and hate to see it move from its present spot on S. Clarkson.
But I’ll have more on this in the next blog. ‘Til then, remember: You’ve got until around Labor Day to tie on the feedbag one more time … so go for it!!

A few hours ago (this is written on Tuesday night), the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board approved a $516 million project list for a bond referendum this November. The list includes building twelve new schools: eight elementaries, two middle and two high schools.

Now, two-thirds of the package will be going for growth projects — including the building of the schools mentioned. This is probably going to be the biggest stick in the craw of voters (incidentally, the whole shebang’s still gotta be approved by the county commissioners before it’s put before us voters in November). Many folks who’ve gotten wind of this bond have already asked “Why do we need NEW schools? What’s wrong with the ones we have?”

The educators are already responding with “Quo erat demonstratum” (or, simply put, “D-UHHH!”) The Eagle — a longtime supporter of educational growth (also a former teacher himself) — agrees. Y’see, the QC is a place of constant growth; more people are moving to this area, and, with that, will come greater need for classroom space to accommodate the children (remember: they’re part of the “people” I just mentioned!).

Oh … the other third (welllll, all but about 1%)?? It’ll go to renovate the schools we already have. Now, in case you’re wondering if that’s gonna be enough, remember that it amounts to 163.9 million bucks — which is plenty!
(That other one percent goes to meeting state mandates [in other words, keeping it up to legal specs!].)

Now, if it’s approved by the commissioners, we’ve got about three months to think about it. But, while you’re doin’ that, mull over these three things, okay?:

• We’re a fast-growing city! The fact that we’ll need the extra classroom space and extra schools to meet that growth should be a GIANT boost to our Queen City pride!
• We’re still getting this at a bargain! See, the original pricetag was set at almost (g-gulp!) $100 million higher!
• Hey … it’s for the KIDS’ benefit, for cryin’ out loud! As my old history teacher at Sabre Central (for the uninitiated, South Meck class of ‘69), Mrs. Mays, used to say, “There are no “ifs”, “ands” or “buts” about it!” This one’s gonna do some serious GOOD!

Think about it — and (if it meets with the commission’s approval) vote YES! in November …

Remember back-in-the-day, when ya wanted to take a specific subject in high school, but the registration was closed because its quota was met? Or, if you were sick or injured and couldn’t get to school, how ya worried about having all the creds needed for graduation?

Well, here in the 21st Century, kids all over the state have the opportunity to get the classes they want, and keep their school/homework current so they can get the credentials needed to earn their sheepskin!

It’s through a program called North Carolina Virtual School, and all ya gotta do to check it out is click the link above! Now, enrollment is already closed for the upcoming semester (this according to my sources at Sabre City [ie, South Meck High ... where else?]), but if ya call 1-919-513-8550, they can give ya more info on the next program.

Y’know, with everyone knockin’ pro wrestling over the past weeks (due to the Chris Benoit story), it appears that sports-entertainment is being forced to return to the days when it was family-oriented and drug-free.
That being said, we need to remember that Charlotte’s own, original Mid-Atlantic Wrestling advocated just that: clean, family-oriented sports-entertainment without steroids and illegal drugs. Jim Crockett, Sr. (and, later on, sons Jim, David and Jackie) was determined to keep the shows decent and his wrestling stable healthy — and that was the rule until Ted Turner bought it out and made it part of his big WCW franchise.

Today, only a handful of “indie” or non-WWE-related wrestling orgs actually provide the same clean, family code that the original did. But it’s good to know the Crockett family — and the wrestling roster they put together –showed the world that you don’t have to be flashy or trashy to make you a superstar. Just make it good, make it comfortable for every age group to watch, and it’ll grow …

And to think it started in Charlotte, in a small building on Briabend Drive!

Okay, music fans … consider this your “heads up” about the great Vans Warped Tour that’s coming to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre TONIGHT!

Among the great acts you’ll be experiencing will be the hot new group, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (see pic), who just finished a TV gig on the Letterman show a couple of weeks ago. These guys are emo-rock at its best (and if you’re wondering about their name, fuhgidabouddit! Even they say it doesn’t mean anything!). Their rise to stardom has been quick: they’ve only been together a coupla years!

Another is the Southern California punk sound of Bad Religion. These guys are sort of “Green Day meets Smashing Pumpkins” and are masters of the socially-conscious lyrics. A dynamite act that’ll make you a fan immediately (if you’re not one already!)

Now, do The Eagle a favor, okay? If ya take in the show, how about leaving a few lines in the
“comments” section and lemme know whatcha think, okay? With all the various acts that’ll be hittin’ the stage, you’re bound to come outta there either with goosebumps, a case of rockin’ pneumonia, or some sore hands from all the applause (that’s for you older rockers who think you’re too “old” to let loose! [As the Rock Relic will tell ya, You're NEVER too old to rock 'n' roll! So go for it!])

A WORD ABOUT TAMMY FAYE’S PASSING

Yesterday, I was asked by a reader at the library if I was gonna do a write-up on Tammy Faye Messner’s death. She followed it by lambasting PTL, Jim, Roe … and Tammy herself.
Look … no matter what you thought of the Bakker saga, PTL or whatever, we’ve gotta remember that Mrs. Messner did her best to be a faithful wife, mother and motivator. She fought a valiant battle for over ten years against two terrible cancers: lung and colon. During that time, she tried to bring hope to others who suffer those same diseases — as well as anybody who was depressed and feeling without hope. Her husband, Roe Messner, is waging an internal war himself, against prostate cancer — yet, he stood by her faithfully, up to and at the end.
Her inner strength during these times … her compassion for her family … her optimistic outlook, shared so that others could find that strength … brought admiration and appreciation by many.

So, talk about her as you will; in reality, Tammy Faye was a lesson in courage. Through many storms — including the one that eventually took her life — she held her head high and showed us how important to live NOW … POSITIVELY … and not look back.

May she rest in peace.

See ya at the Tour tonight …

Folks, I wanna take a break in the local action (for this post only) to update you on a situation happening half-a-world away … one that’s caught the eyes — and hearts — of many of us.
As you know, the province of Darfur is going through daily (almost hourly) tragedies, thanks to infighting between the Janjaweed and SLM. Over 450,000 have died as a result of the fighting as well as starvation (the numbers are smaller in news reports because they only reflect the deaths from gunfire). You can read more in my article here.
But there are a couple of pieces of good news coming outta the region (these just reported this past week):

• The BBC has reported that numerous, untapped water pockets have been found in Darfur! That means, at least potentially, thousands of starving citizens will have at least the life-giving liquid necessary to keep them alive! As I write this, various wells are already being dug to access this, on behalf of the people!
• The UN Secretary General has just stated that he’s pushing the org’s members toward multinational assistance for the innocent victims of, as well as toward resolution of, the fighting. Now … if we can just get Bush to agree …

There’s also a petition you can sign (what is it with the Eagle and his petitions?? Trust me, people: This is for a vital cause …) that will be sent to our Presidential candidates, urging them to end support for any business trading with Sudan! Read more about it here and then sign the petition today! (incidentally, didja notice who took the photo on the site’s top banner? No, I won’t tell ya; you’ve gotta click that link to see it!)

Now, we, as Charlotteans and citizen of the human condition, need to stand strong for those who can’t or aren’t allowed to. So, beginning with the click of those links, let’s show ‘em the Southern pride, the Charlotte charity (if only in spirit) … our very human and hopeful hearts, okay??

We’ll get back to the regular program in the next post. For now, I thought you’d wanna know …

Hey … remember the days of Clown Carnival and Joey The Clown? (WSOC personality Brooks Lindsay, with a studio full of kids, a vault full of cartoons, the “Joey Tree” and his crazy “George Washington Bridge”, sung with a weird contraption that looked part-banjo, part-tambourine and part-broomstick)
We laughed at his silly antics, loved the merry-go-round the kids would ride to the Monkees’ Pleasant Valley Sunday and remember his famous sign-off (”Remember, all we have in this old world is each other.”)

Brooks was a member of the famous Carolina Clowns, who’ve made kids (and their parents) laugh and feel good about themselves for years now … in fact, FIFTY of ‘em (hint: It’s their golden anniversary!)!
They started back in 1957, when organizers of our great Carrousel Parade were looking for a few clowns to liven up the space between floats, and give kids in the crowd something to laugh about. Since that first Parade, they’ve continued serve the community through appearances at annual WBTV Blood Give Ins, Festival in the Park, The Festival Of Lights Parade, and many other events at area churches, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Their job … actually, as one told me, their pleasure … is creating that which will put smiles on people’s faces — and hearts. Though they operate on a donation basis (see their front page for how you can help!), they live by the “Clown’s Prayer”:
“Dear Lord,

Amen…

They’ll be at Festival In The Park again this year, of course (it’s starting Septermber 20) … so make a point to take your young — and young-at-heart — down to Freedom Park to see (and take pictures with) them!
CONGRATS TO THE CAROLINA CROWNS FOR REACHING THE BIG “FIVE-0″ WITHOUT SHOWING IT!

IMPORTANT TV NOTE

As you probably have already read in the Observer, former PTL hostess Tammy Faye Bakker (Messner) will be on the Larry King Show this Thursday evening. Though she won’t be on for the full hour (which was pre-taped), the 65-year-old televangelist — now down to 65 pounds due to inoperable colon and lung cancer — is said to speak candidly and openly about both her disease and her years with her ex-husband, Jim Bakker.
Check your local listings for time (it’s on CNN).

For a moment, let’s take a quick walk back in time … to when the “PreFab Four” played the Queen City (there’s a reason for this, as you’ll see twice during this post).
Goin’ back to October, 1966, when Micky, Davy, Peter and Mike performed (yes, performed! They actually played their own music!) at the Charlotte Coliseum: The gig, of course, was dynamite except for … one … little … thing:
They brought a guest … a weird-lookin’, crazy-playing dude they called Hendrix. Jimi Hendrix, to be more exact.
To quote someone who wrote about it on eBay recently: “(I ACTUALLY SAW HENDRIX OPEN FOR THE MONKEES IN CHARLOTTE - I AM ASHAMED TO SAY, I HELPED BOO HIM OFF THE STAGE!!)” Charlotte, at the time, was Monkeetown to thousands of kids from first-grade to college … and we didn’t want anyone but them on stage. Still (though he was to disappear from the tour about a week later), Hendrix’s appearance was enough to start the Experience that changed the teen rock society.

But I said all that to say this: While they were here (remember Big WAYS giving away snips from their bedsheets and pillowcases if you were the seventh caller?), we had some actual, musical history-makers in our midst.
Here … borrowed from The Rock Relic’s own page, is the story:

Okay, suuuuuuuuure they were hand-picked for their TV Monkeeshines. And, though the music was cool and the vids cooler, what they actually accomplished oughtta put ‘em smack dab right in the middle of Rock’s Hall of Fame. In fact, there’s a petition you can sign to help ‘em get that honor (sheesh! They’ve only been on the Hall’s ‘list of nominees’ for five years or more! Why haven’t they been abduct … er, inducted yet?)

So tell me they don’t belong in the Hallowed Halls of Hop, and I’ll say ya don’t know rock! SIGN THE PETITION TODAY, and let’s give ‘em the props they deserve, huh?

If you’re an internet junkie, enjoy good food, like to make good friends, dig cool music or in the mood for some good comedy, you’ve got ‘em all at once … and all ya gotta do is make trax to the SK NetCafe! These folks not only provide the best food, friends and fun during the daytime, but, at night, you’ve got some of the best in local bands, stand-ups, improvs, and more!

From art shows to web services, you’re bound to find what you’re lookin’ for in this one-stop entertainment shop! They’ve even got projection screens so you can get the most out of it all!
And, get this: As sort of a throwback to the old espresso shoppes in Greenwich Village, they’ve got a poetry reading night (Tuesdays) as well as indy film night (same PM!). Natch, it’s all more modern, but, man, it’s worth every plug-nickel!

Now, I mentioned the internet. Yep, they’ve got it there for you to use (where d’ya think the “Net” came from in their name, huh?), but do yourselves and them a favor and use it wisely. Although these folks (and their customers) are as honest as the day is long, take a quick hint from the Bald Bird: Please leave any sensitive, password-required sites at home if ya can! You’ll thank me for that advice later …

Listen … you’ve just gotta take in a coffee or two while you’re relaxin’ there! The NetCafe has the best selection the Eagle’s seen since … since ever! And they brew ‘em just right … why, you can even make your own blend!
And, if ya dig smoothies, bagels, cheesecake, wraps (we’re talkin’ the best … Common Market! Need I say more?) and other bakery items, you’ve got ‘em here!

For more of what they’ve got in store for ya, go to their website … or just pop on by at 1425 Elizabeth Avenue (look for the place with the big coffee cup sign. They’re between Presbyterian Hospital and CPCC!) You’re gonna love the atmosphere … and are bound to make some new friends there …

So what’s holdin’ ya back?? I toldja there’s a lot to do here in Crown Town, right??

No, it’s not Led Zeppelin, but it’s pretty darn close! And you’ll find the amazing soundalikes Zoso (named after Jimmy Page’s symbol on Zep’s fourth LP) at Amos’ Southend Music Hall coming up on July 28. These guys put on a dynamite show, and sound so much like the real deal you’d swear that Jimmy, John, Robert and Bonzo were there! So, if ya like yer music live, loud and legendary, ya just gotta take in this show! Amos’ is at 1423 South Tryon St.; click on their weblink (above) for more details, okay?

Now, if you’re lookin’ for some great rock without the heaviness, check out the Neighborhood Theatre on North Davidson Street. They’ll be presenting a fantastic up-and-coming group from Austin, Texas called Restless Kelly. These guys have been called “hick-rock” because their songs reflect “life, loss and trouble that lurks at the bottom of a whiskey bottle” (Neighborhood Theatre promo). But you’re in for some great harmonies, the best of electric twang, and an outstanding stage presence. Click the link abover for more info … it comes up THIS FRIDAY (the 20th!).

Like I’ve said all along, there’s plenty of things to do here in Crown Town. Just keep your eyes and ears open … and you’ll find it, right here, in Charlotte …

As most of you know by now, Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Marlette, whose colorful editorial cartoons graced the editorial pages of the Charlotte Observer from 1972 to 1987, died in a tragic single-vehicle accident in Mississippi on July 10 — just days after delivering his father’s eulogy here in Charlotte on July 6. The police report said the truck in which he was riding apparently had hydroplaned and hit a tree. He had been in the area lending a hand to students at Oxford High School (Marshall County, Miss.) who were planning to perform Kudzu, A Southern Musical.

Although he was considered controversial editorially, Marlette often gave way to homespun humor in his daily comic strip, Kudzu. To the Eagle — who, admittedly, felt a bit of occupational envy (as it was the start of my career in journalism) — the man was a Southern gentleman wrapped around a little boy’s imagination and dressed in businessman’s clothes.

As I said, he was controversial … some have considered Doug as the ’80s version of Garry Trudeau … but he was always ready with a warm smile and handshake for everyone who met him. His abilities as cartoonist and writer led to many well-deserved awards. Here, quoting from Wikipedia™:

“He won every major award for editorial cartooning, including the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning, the National Headliner Award for Consistently Outstanding Editorial Cartoons (three times), the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Award for editorial cartooning (twice), and First Prize in the John Fischetti Memorial Cartoon Competition (twice). In 1981, he became the first and (as of 2007) the only cartoonist ever awarded a Nieman Fellowship.”

We were proud of our “native son” (although he originally hailed from Greensboro), and his work. Not only was he a cartoonist but a novelist, having published The Bridge in 2001 and Magic Time in 2006. He was working on a lengthy novel at the time of his death.

To his wife, Melinda, and son, Jackson: the Eagle, this blog, and thousands of shocked and saddened Charlotteans send our condolences and heartfelt prayers …

Rest in peace, Kudzu-Man …

Over the past few issues of About Charlotte, I’ve covered a bit of things to do, and two of our schools that “made the grade” in the Nation’s Top 100. So, gotta take off my hat in respect … ’sides, it’s gettin’ a mite steamy under the cap.

But there’s something else we can be proud of (in fact, I heard this from a Crown Town visitor from Big Sky Country): we have some of the most caring helping hands in the nation! He was reallyimpressed with our Hands On Charlotte organization, and how many of us are actually involved with it.

HOC is a non-profit, volunteer org that promotes direct community service in helping meet the critical needs of Charlotte’s people. Some of their services include the CharloTEEN program at the Crisis Assistance Mission (they help with clothing for the poor), Cradles to Crayons for The Summit House, Fairmarket Friends, and many, many more!

It’s easy to get involved! All ya gotta do is click on the link up there (the one that says “Hands On Charlotte”), and it’ll give you all the information ya need. Believe this Eagle, it’ll be a feather in your cap — and you’ll not only have a great time, but also help hundreds of other fine folks here in the Queen City. Folks who may not have anyone else to help but you!

Beginning with this post, I wanna take you back down a sorta-personal “memory lane” for some takes on Charlotte area life way-back-when.
First, though (and since I was raised there), I wanna ask if anyone remembers how Pineville looked years ago. No, I mean YEARZZZZZZ ago … like, in 1915? Awrighty then … ready for a rarity? Click here to see it!

Back in the 1960s, Pineville was blessed to have Bo McCoy’s Barber Shop. It was a little like Floyd’s in the fictional Mayberry, only with three barbers. I was told that, if ya wanted your hair cut right, you’d have to use at least two of ‘em: Bo (who was also the mayor) would cut it on the left side, ’cause if he was on the right, he’d be so busy waving at folks passin’ by on the street that he could mess it up. Then, to cut it on the right, you went over to where Lyle Brassfield was. Y’see, there was a TV in the corner, and if he was cuttin’ the left side and the Redskins scored a touchdown during football season, he’d get excited if and maybe clip your ear by mistake!
Oh … the third?? That was Jimmy, in the middle. He had the shakes. Daddy said to go around him.
But one cloudy Saturday morning, while my brothers were gettin’ their “revolving” haircuts, I sorta felt sorry for Jimmy, and let him do mine. Figured it’d at least be even, and I wouldn’t have to play “musical barbers”.
A short while later, when we got back into daddy’s truck, my brothers looked neat and clean. And me? Well … ya ever been attacked by a wolverine? On the head?? Man, between the shame of that and the pain felt by the whupping I got, I was in baaaaaad shape for awhile.

But, then again, it’s a pleasant memory … from a wonderful town that continues to grow …

Didja hear … er, read … the news?!?
Charlotte now has two of its flyin’-high schools on the list of Newsweek mag’s top 100 in the nation!

And why shouldn’t we? I mean, though I graduated (summa-say-lawdy!) from razor-sharp South Meck in that warm June night of 1969 (hmph … cut my foot, was on crutches, gown too long, tripped goin’ down Ovens Auditorium steps, landed at the feet of my ex-girlfriend — it’s a long story …), I’ve joined thousands of other Sabres in their jealousy of Myers Park High School. But, though we thought they were a little uppity, we also realized they had a super-scholastic program — even back then! But here in the ‘07, they’ve really grown to be a major player in the nation’s teen brainforce! (Incidentally, my group’s pianist went there, so I wasn’t completely biased!)

The other started out as one of the feistiest, most determined of the bunch. Back-in-the-day, we poked fun at Harding High School due to its unique special-education programs (hey … we were kids, alright?? We’re over it now!) and the Rams, who couldn’t seem to buy a win against us. But …
Today, Harding University High School — a magnet school built in 1992 with a college prep curriculum (thus, replacing the old school) — is a national model of outreach and upbuilding as well as teaching.

So these schools put Charlotte on the national scholastic map and deserve the thanks of all Crown Towners …

INCIDENTALLY …

If you or someone you know has contact with anyone from the South Meck or Garinger High Classes of ‘69 (or ‘70), gimme a shout-out, okay?? That “reunion” site just ain’t gettin’ the job done! (’sides, I owe one of ‘em 87 cents. Plus thirty-eight years’ interest!)

Thanks …