theCLog

Friday, July 4

Film
Hancock: Fourth of July = Will Smith movie. It’s a tried and true formula and with the exception of Wild, Wild West, Will Smith owns the Fourth, in all his Scientology glory. Now we can add Hancock to the list. Big Willy plays a superhero with no past and no future, dealing with the problems of alcohol, identity and a tendency for destruction. Can he end up saving the day? Check out Matt Brunson’s review in this week’s issue of CL to find out what our critic thought of Super Will.
And, just for funsies, try this little game that my friend and I have been playing all weekend: In the movie theater, chant, “When I say ‘Hand!’ you say…” and see who answers. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film.
Find more in Film.

Music
Cute Is What We Aim For: Born in the frozen tundra of Buffalo, N.Y., this power-pop quartet with a sentence for a name makes quirky pop that’s warm and toasty around the edges, with a fluffy middle. The young band has been around about three years and has already made inroads into the much-crowded field of power pop bands. They are out touring the new release, Rotation. Also on the bill: Ace Enders, Danger Radio and Powerspace. Tremont Music Hall. www.tremontmusichall.com. Find more in Music.

Arts
Side Show: If you missed reading Kevin Keck’s story on Side Show in the June 11 issue of Creative Loafing, check our archives. You’ll find that these Siamese twins who once walked the Q.C. experienced the ups and, more so, the downs of fame. The media’s and other folks’ curiosity for the sisters was similar to today’s Hilton sisters Paris and Nicky. Similar, but oh so different. Paris and Nicky, despite their personal problems, have never had it hard, while Daisy and Violet’s lives were far from easy. McGlohon Theatre’s production of Side Show tells their story. McGlohon Theatre. www.blumenthalcenter.com. Find more in Arts.

Food
Fourth of July: Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen is hosting a 4th of July barbecue for you and yours to celebrate our independence from British rule. The SouthPark barbecue will feature live music, face painting and magic for the kids. 4 p.m.- 11 p.m. Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen. www.roosterskitchen.com.
Find more in Food.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

According to BBC News, Internet sites like Facebook and MySpace allow kids to create and scrap different personalities in cyberspace without discovering who they truly are in the real world. Because of this, experts are worried that anyone born after 1990 (the generation who can’t imagine life without the Internet) will be prone to dangerous impulsive behaviors and suicides.
Well, this certainly sounds like a nice pat little theory that explains every crazy violent teenage event from the Columbine massacre to the MySpace-related suicide, but I’m not buying it. I’ll agree that time spent in front of computers and TV is ridiculously high (please play outside more, it’s good for you), but that doesn’t mean that our children are weak-minded. Sure they can’t imagine what to do with themselves outside, but their imaginations are being stretched by all the computer programs, Internet sites and TV shows. The majority are smarter than the generation before them and getting smarter.
So let’s get real. Society has changed for a number of reasons resulting in no one being responsible for their own actions. How about we focus on responsibility instead of yet another excuse?

Bookmark It

According to the latest World Values Survey published by the United States National Science Foundation, out of 97 countries surveyed, Denmark is the “world’s happiest nation,” followed by Puerto Rico and Colombia. Zimbabwe was determined to be the least happiest nation.

So what about the homeland? The United States ranked the 16th happiest, which I find hard to believe, especially with astronomical gas and food prices, the economy in recession, the military overstretched because of a war we never should have gotten involved in, and the reign of a president who’s kind of an idiot. (If you don’t believe me about Bush, go here.)

And by the way, how can a study measure happiness anyway? Especially that of an entire country. Heck, depending on the day you talk to me, I can either be on top of the world goofy happy or walking around like bill collectors are after me and my puppy’s leg is broken (which it is, by the way.) And I’m just one person.

The study, directed by University of Michigan professor Ronald Inglehart, also reported that the world is becoming a happier place overall. Wow. Terrorism, civil wars, poverty, homelessness, hate crimes, killer typhoons and hurricanes, starving children, AIDS … I’m just not sure how accurate that assessment is. Then again, who am I to say the world isn’t becoming a happier place? I’ve only got my Bachelors degree.

You can read the BBC report here.

Bookmark It

Just because Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police will be out in force and ready to rumble during the uptown Fourth of July festivities, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Police, who say an extra 450 or so extra officers will be on hand for the Independence Day revelry, don’t want to be spoilsports, so they’re finding happy, fun ways to liven up their holiday law enforcement. Police spokesperson A. Mitchell Palmer said today that special Patriot Patrols will cruise the city, using laser speed-detection guns in a search for speeders. Meanwhile, civilian cruisers who clog traffic and play loud music uptown will be yanked from their vehicles by officers dressed in special “Uncle Sam” riot gear. What’s more, cruisers’ cars will be towed to a “Liberty Lot,” surrounded by a razor-wired fence draped in red-white-and-blue streamers. DWI suspects will be asked to prove sobriety by singing all four verses of the “Star-Spangled Banner.” And that’s not all; no matter the infraction, everyone arrested will get a complimentary flag-design “Busted On The Fourth!” thermal mug. Even party-goers who go out of control will be entitled to a treat — being beaten with jaunty “Freedom Sticks,” truncheons festively decorated in a stars-and-stripes design. So never mind the naysayers who claim police are taking the fun out of the Fourth, and remember: what’s a little fear and intimidation when it’s for the sake of security? It’s what the Founding Fathers would have wanted.

Have a safe, secure Fourth!

Bookmark It

By John McCain 

As I told the National Sheriffs’ Association Tuesday, protecting innocent citizens from the scourge of crime is one of the chief responsibilities of our government. But there’s only so much we can do alone. That’s why I’m proposing a radical new approach to crime fighting. I’m installing a bat signal on top of the White House.

It would be the world’s largest bat signal, and it would be visible anywhere in the country, from Washington D.C. to Gotham City to Metropolis to New York to wherever the Wonder Twins live. This bat signal would be a beacon of hope in these troubling times, instilling faith into the minds of the citizenry while striking fear into the hearts of those who answer evil’s call. Especially if it’s cloudy. It works a lot better when it’s cloudy. And mostly at nighttime.

When the bat signal shines into the heavens, that’s when Batman, my newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Batman, will emerge to fight our nation’s battles, whether they be against terrorism or jewel heists. Answering the call to keep our proud nation safe from all attacks, be it al Qaeda, the Jokester, or whatever Liam Neeson’s character’s name was (spoiler alert – Liam Neeson was the bad guy!).

In these complicated times, people have begun to throw around the word “hero” to refer to a lot of different sorts of people. People like firefighters and policemen, people who don’t have any super powers. And the word applies. But doesn’t it also apply to a man in a really cool costume with a logo, a cape and a utility belt? And if you think about it, doesn’t everybody have a “super” power of some sort? Everybody’s good at something — maybe you’re a really good speller, or a fast runner, or you’re really good at whistling. My point is this, friends: Every American is a hero of some kind, except for people who can’t whistle. Thank you.

McCain/Batman 2008!

News Groper features more than 50 parody blogs by politicians, celebrities, business tycoons, and foreign despots.

Bookmark It

When Chef Marvin Woods opened his upscale restaurant, Woods On South, he said he was in it for the long haul. His plan was to change the way Charlotte ate, creating a menu of health-conscious dishes.
His plan, however, obviously fell short because Woods on South served its last plate of oven-fried chicken this week.
Tuesday, a sign taped on the front door during lunch stated that the restaurant was closed. Another sign informed workers that payroll checks would be mailed out.
By Wednesday, the restaurant’s voice mail told callers that Woods on South had gone bye-bye.
“It’s been our pleasure to serve you,” said the outgoing telephone message.
Creative Loafing reached Woods by phone Wednesday to find out what went wrong.
“I don’t really have an answer for you right now,” he said. “I need about a week. I’m working on something, and it’s in the nondisclose right now, so I can’t answer any questions about it. But once the ‘I’s’ are dotted and the ‘T’s’ are crossed, I can give you the 411.”
John Stritch, president of Carolina Beer and a partner in the restaurant, wasn’t available for comment regarding the eatery’s closing at press time.
The restaurant opened with a flourish in October 2007. Before becoming Woods On South, the restaurant was known as South End Brewery. According to Charlotte Business Journal, Woods actually worked at the brewery from 1998 to 2000.
Woods made his name nationally on the now-defunct TV cable network Turner South with the cooking show Home Plate, which he hosted while wearing his signature bandanna. He is also the author of two cookbooks.
When Woods opened Woods on South, he said he’d hope to grow with Charlotte, calling it a “diamond city” at the time.
Woods had said at the time that he wanted to offer a lighter version of Southern cuisine. He even had ‘soul sushi’ on the menu.
This isn’t the first restaurant associated with Woods to close. His Miami restaurant, which he opened in 2004, also went out of business.
Currently, according to Woods’s Web site, he’s spending time trying to fight childhood obesity by developing a national kids’ wellness program called Droppin’ Knowledge with Chef Marvin Woods.
His Web site also says that Woods is set to launch a line of sauces and spice blends that will be available online and in grocery stores this year.
Whatever happened at Woods On South, it’s closing leaves another hole in South End. Aside from fast food and Price’s Chicken Coop, there aren’t many upscale choices for dining out in the city’s historic neighborhood.

Bookmark It

Former “24″ star Dennis Haysbert, also known as the Allstate man, has lost his damned mind.
He told the Associated Press that his role as a fictional black president may have helped Barack Obama win the Democratic nomination.
All I can say is what the hell? Forget that eight years of Resident–er–President George W. Bush (whacked) has spawned nothing but war, high gas prices, a recession and loads of other bullshit.
A TV show where the black president gets shot in the damned throat is why millions of people voted for Barack Obama. Allstate guy, you must be smoking that good-good in La La land.
So, Obama’s view on world issues, health care and these thieving ass oil companies had nothing to do with him getting the nod. It was your role on “24″ also know as the Jack Bauer show? Okay.
Let’s also keep in mind that Haysbert is on a new show, “The Unit,” where he is Jack light because he has to have a crew to help him. I guess the next commander of a covert military group that blows up shit will owe that job to you too, huh?

Bookmark It

Folks interested in the United Way of Central Carolinas might want to check out comments here and here at The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Bookmark It

Talk About Setbacks:
The rebuilding at the World Trade Center site will take longer and cost more than previously projected, The Wall Street Journal reports. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is set to release a detailed report on delays and cost overruns on construction. The Trade Center won’t be completed until the middle of next decade, and will likely cost around $3 billion more than planned.

Not Another Copy Cat Murder:
The Army’s criminal investigation unit has joined forces with Fayetteville police to catch the killer of a pregnant Fort Bragg soldier, CNN reports. Army Spc. Megan Touma was found dead in the bath tub of a motel bathroom, authorities said Monday. Although they have yet to determine Touma’s cause of death, authorities already have a “person of interest” in the case: a soldier assigned to the Fort Bragg-based U.S. Army Special Operations Command. In a striking turn of events, a letter was sent to a local news paper purportedly from the killer which included a similar symbol used by the infamous Zodiac Killer. A similar symbol was left on a mirror in Touma’s motel room. Authorities believe this letter was an attempt to mislead investigators.

Clark: Obama played no role in McCain comments:
Wesley Clark, a retired Army General said Senator Obama had no part in comments he made about Presidential hopeful John McCain’s qualifications to be president, the Associated Press reports. The controversy began on CBS “Face the Nation” when Clark said McCain’s military service was not the same as executive experience. “I’m very sorry this has distracted from the message of patriotism that Sen. Obama wants to put out, but I want to make very clear that as a Democrat and a former Army officer, I fully respect Sen. McCain and all others who’ve served, especially on this Fourth of July,” Clark said Tuesday on an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America”.

Bill Gates says Goodbye to Microsoft:
Microsoft wizard Bill Gates said a tearful goodbye to Microsoft, to concentrate on philanthropy his work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Reuters reports. Gates plans to stay on as chairman, and help out on some projects. “My life’s work really is about software and working with incredible people,” Gates said tearfully. One thing is for sure: there’s no denying the impact his work has had on the IT world and the world for that matter.

Now to Roundup Up the Roundup:
Blond Bombshell (I guess) Pamela Anderson lashed out against Jessica Simpson in a recent interview in Australia. Simpson was criticized by Anderson, an avid vegetarian, for wearing a “Real Girls Eat Meat” shirt. “I think she is a bitch and a whore, I don’t know if she was talking about food or men,” Anderson said in a radio interview in Australia. Bitch? Whore? Wow, talk about the pot calling the kettle black Pam.

Bookmark It

Smiley Pat McCrory has bought into the new conservative cause, best described as wrecking the nation’s beaches so we can keep on driving gas guzzlers. McCrory, who is running for the N.C. governorship in a year that’s predicted to bring a Democratic landslide, has now grasped at his party’s latest electoral straw. The new GOP buzzword is “drill!” As we’ve noted before, their motto must be “Drain America First” - which is fitting, considering that Pat & Co. have no other plans or vision for the country’s energy future. Ever the friend of big business, Chamber Pat “explained” his support for drilling off the N.C. coast - also known, if you remember, as Hurricane Alley — by saying, “If not here, then where?” He claimed that if you drive every day and oppose drilling for oil near your favorite beach, “What you’re really saying is ‘I’m willing to take oil from someplace else except from my own backyard.” The big news, to this writer, is that these arguments actually seem to make sense to Mayor Bumpersticker. Never mind that no one - as in nobody, not a single, solitary soul - believes drilling off America’s coastline would lower the price of gasoline one red cent. Instead of oil platforms within view of the Outer Banks, what we need to increase U.S. “energy independence” are leaders who will pull their heads out of their, um, oil wells, and launch a massive, “Kennedy/Moon mission”-esque push to produce energy from sources that would end our deadly addiction to oil.

Bookmark It