Charlotte Taste Of The Nation

April 16, 2008

Wachovia Atrium
Uptown Charlotte, NC
FREE PARKING in 2nd Street Garage
Preview Hour 6-10pm $85
Main Event 7-10pm $60

To purchase tickets please call the Second Harvest Foodbank of Metrolina
at (704) 376-1785

To purchase tickets online please click on the "Buy Tickets to Taste of the Nation" located on the left hand side.

Preview Hour: $85
Main Event (if purchased by March 31, 2008): $50
Main Event: $60 at door

Celebrating 13 years and over $1 million raised!

Enjoy a gourmet extravaganza featuring signature dishes from over 20 of Charlotte-area restaurants and culinary schools, fine wine, beer & other beverages, as well as Live Entertainment, Live & Silent Auctions and a great time while making a difference!

Come an hour early for an exclusive first look at the exciting auction packages, and of course, the much needed extra hour to enjoy all the wonderful food and wine Charlotte has to offer.

Charlotte Taste Of The Nation

Free events in Charlotte for basketball fans

Charlotte's City Center Partners and the Charlotte Regional Sports Authority are celebrating the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball East Regional Tournament March 27th & 29th in Charlotte, North Carolina with a number of free events.

If you do not have a ticket for the games, there are plenty of activities to attend for FREE!!
The free Gold Rush trolley will be running, as well as the LYNX train.

The Open Practice is Wednesday, March 26th 12:00 - 4:00pm at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

The Coca Cola Spirit of Champions Tour is happening outside of the Charlotte Bobcats Arena during the following times:

• Wednesday, March 26th 11:00am - 5:00pm
• Thursday, March 27th 11:00am - first tip
• Saturday, March 29th 10:00am - first tip

For more information, visit http://www.charlottesports.org/

Fly Fishing Film Tour 2008 Charlotte March 13

Yes, there is a fly fishing film tour, dedicated, according to its website, to: "bringing a new face-vision and scene to the fly-fishing entertainment world."

I'm not entirely sure what that is supposed to mean, but I think it has something to do with the Airstream RV painted like a rainbow trout. (See below.)

AEG's 2008 Fly Fishing Film Tour, the country's biggest fly fishing film festival arrives in Charlotte on March 13 at Spirit Square's McGlohan Theatre, 345 N. College Street. Phone: (971) 238-0554, Doors Open: 6:30 PM; Show Starts: 7:00 PM.

Along with other fly fishing films, you can get a sneak peek at two Trout Unlimited special projects:

* Get a preview of "On the Rise," TU's new television program that will begin airing on the Outdoor Channel this spring --the show takes you on a fly-fishing journey across America, as host Frank Smethurst, traveling in an Airstream trailer painted like a rainbow trout, visits TU projects around the country.

* See the trailer for "Red Gold," a documentary film about Bristol Bay Alaska and the fight to save this wild salmon fishery from becoming home to the largest open pit gold mine in North America.

Trout Unlimited is a partner in the film tour, which will premier at over 70 theaters across the country and features eight short films on fly fishing from independent film makers across the globe.

For more information, and to preview films, visit:
Fly Fishing Film Tour 2008 coming to your area

Free child's admission with paper donation for USO Presidents Day at Discovery Place

Guests donating paper products receive one free child’s admission per paying adult to Discovery Place Monday, Feb. 18. The paper products will go to support the United States Organizations (USO) of North Carolina.

Serving more than 1,000 military visitors per week, the USO of North Carolina’s Charlotte-Douglas International Airport office relies on the generosity of the community to support its programs and services and always is in need of paper goods and supplies. Guests can show their support at the Museum by providing the following paper products: boxes of plastic forks, plastic knives and plastic spoons; or packages of napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, nine inch plates, six inch plates, 16 oz. plastic cups and 12 oz. Styrofoam cups.

“The USO holds an endearing and impassioned place in the lives of the troops and their families,” said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery Place. “We are proud to partner with the USO to give guests a chance to show their support and learn about the history and impact the USO has had on America’s military communities.”

The museum's current exhibition, Rockwell’s America: Celebrating the Art of Norman Rockwell, takes visitors on a journey through America’s past as Rockwell's iconic images come to life in interactive, walk-through exhibits.

One of Rockwell's most famous works is a Saturday Evening Post cover featuring Willie Gillis enjoying the special brand of comfort provided by USO volunteers.

During their visit, guests can learn more about the USO including how the organization was formed and its impact on troops stationed overseas and away from their families during World War II.

Military personnel and family members visited USO centers more than 5.3 million times last year to receive services include free Internet access, libraries and reading rooms, housing assistance, family crisis counseling, support groups, game rooms and nursery facilities.

The United Service Organizations or USO has been the bridge between the American public and the U.S. military since before World War II. In times of peace and war, the USO consistently delivers comfort, support and recreational services to the military.

Those interested in making a direct donation to the Charlotte USO Center may do so by contacting Captain Jack Ahart, Director or Megan Grady, Deputy Director at 704-359-5581. For more information on USO North Carolina and the Charlotte USO, visit uso-nc.org.

DISCOVERY PLACE | igniting wonder since 1981 | CHARLOTTE NATURE MUSEUM | IMAX | Discovery Place with the Charlotte Observer IMAX Dome Theater and the Charlotte Nature Musuem are the things to do in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina. Visit the Discovery Halls and view our permanent exhibits such as Our Living Planet, the Ocean Pool, the Rainforest, the Life Center, Einstein's Corner, and many more exciting exhibits. Don't foget to stop by the Charlotte Nature Museum while you are in Uptown. There you can see wonderful exhibits such as the Butterfly Pavillion and Our Big Backyard. Stop by today, there's so much to explore in Uptown Charlotte. Ignite the Wonder in You!

February events at North Carolina Museums

Events at museums around the state:

*During the weekend of February 22-24, the Cameron Art Museum (http://www.cameronartmuseum.com/ ) presents the Civil War Living History Weekend and Battle of Forks Road Living History Weekend, an event that recreates the final fight to take Wilmington on February 20, 1865. This educational program affords visitors a great opportunity to learn more about the role of African-American troops during the Civil War history. Step back in time with African-American, Union and Confederate re-enactors, special guest speakers, and Civil War historians. The year 2008 marks the 143rd anniversary of the Battle of Forks Road, an important skirmish that preceded the fall of Wilmington during the Civil War.

*At the Reynolda House Museum of American Art (http://www.renoldahouse.org/ ) "Ancestry and Innovation: African-American Art from the American Folk Art Museum" opens Friday, February 1.

*The North Carolina Museum of History (http://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/ ) presents the Civil Rights Photographs of Alexander Rivera. Discover the work of N.C. native and renowned photojournalist Alexander Rivera, who captured pivotal moments in the Civil Rights movementas well as everyday life in the segregated South.

*The Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation has generously awarded a $5000 grant to support the Cameron Art Museum's (http://www.cameronartmuseum.com/) newly-established Minnie Evans Study Center. The Center will act as the primary repository of information relating to the art and life of this North Carolina self-taught artist.

*Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (http://www.ncaquariums.com/ ) will have a chance to combine a day at the aquarium with a viewing of one of four classic children's films every Saturday in February. Screening will take place in the aquarium's recently upgraded 165-seat auditorium. Films begin at 3 p.m. on Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Admission to the February Family Fun Film Festival is free with an aquarium ticket.

* The High Point Museum (http://www.highpointmuseum.org/) presents Blacksmithing Demonstrations int he Historical Park on February 2-3 and February 16-17. Come watch a costumed blacksmith in action as he crafts various iron pieces. Free. For more information, call (336) 885-1859.

*Cape Fear Museum of History and Science (http://www.capefearmuseum.com/ ) ventures into uncharted waters Feb.3, when its newest exhibit, OCEAN: Explore. Discover., opens to the public. OCEAN is an interactive, hands-on exhibition that explores cutting-edge research projects from UNCW faculty. The year long, temporary exhibit offers visitors a unique perspective on the ocean. It is designed, in large part, to expose the Lower Cape Fear region to a sampling of the breadth of ocean research that takes place in its own back yard.

* Bennett Place State Historic Site <http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/Sections/hs/bennett/bennett.htm) presents Civil War Cinema: Buffalo Soldiers, staring Danny Glover on February 16 at 5:30 pm.

*The Museum of the Albemarle (http://www.museumofthealbemarle.com/>) will hold "Pre-Schooler Time" on Thursday, February 14, 2008 from 10:00 am until 10:45am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-schoolers will learn about the symbols that represented love in the 18th Century.

*Cape Fear Museum (http://www.capefearmuseum.com/ ) in Wilmington presents at its Learning Center: Under the Sea: What is an aquanaut? Discover the answer to this question and more as you explore ocean science. Learn why the ocean is salty and rivers are not. Play a fun shell match game and make your own sand dollar. Find out why starfish are not fish at all! February 9, 16, 23. The Learning Center is open Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities are free with Museum admission. Appropriate for children ages 5 to 10. Parental participation is required.

*Greensboro Children's Museum ( http://www.gcmuseum.com/) Registration is now open for the Kids on the Ball & Wee Little Kids on the Ball 6 week class - ($10 registration fee) Kids on theBall - Tuesdays - Feb. 5 - Mar. 11. Time: 5:15 - 6pm. Wee Little Kids onthe Ball - Thursdays Feb. 7 - March 13. (10:30 - 11am) and Fridays - Feb. 8- Mar. 14. (10:30-11am). Class size is limited so sign up today!

* Historic Oak View County Park (http://www.wakegov.com/parks/oakview/). Visit this Raleigh park on February 23 from 10-4 for the opening of the park's newest original exhibition,"Seeing the Light: How Electricity Changed Rural North Carolina" with guest speakers and guided tours of the exhibit throughout the day. Visit the website for details about speaker and tour times.

North Carolina Museums Council

Winter Wine Walk Downtown Wilmington

Traveling tour of Wilmington's finest wine bars, shops, and restaurants.
Saturday, February 9th from 6pm until 9pm.

The walk begins at Bottega Art & Wine where patrons will show their ticket in exchange for a map and wristband showing admission. From there, people will embark on a self-guided tour to The Wilmington Wine Shoppe, The Basics, Chelsea's Wine Bar and more... who will offer 2-4 tastings of winter wines of their choice to participants.

Tickets are $15 each or 2 for $25 and will be available for purchase at Bottega Art & Wine, and online at etix.com.

Downtown Business Alliance - Events Details

Elephant Walk Update

The Ringling Brothers Circus Parade will travel up Trade Street, not 5th Street, this evening. Daredevil stuntman Belo Nock (orange hair, above) leads the parade.

Incidently, Ringling has one of the world's most successful breeding programs for Asian elephants, with 20 baby elephants born so far. Here are a few really cute pictures. You can read about the circus' elephant center here: http://www.elephantcenter.com/