VOLUME 1: ISSUE 16 - JULY 3 - JULY 16, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM
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CHARLOTTEVAPES
Charlotte’s Cultural Pulse STAFF
PUBLISHER • Justin LaFrancois jlafrancois@qcnerve.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • Ryan Pitkin rpitkin@qcnerve.com
EDITORIAL
ASSOCIATE EDITOR • Courtney Mihocik cmihocik@qcnerve.com STAFF WRITER • Pat Moran pmoran@qcnerve.com
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NEWS & CULTURE
6 Rescued in Cold Blood by Ryan Pitkin New alternative pet store sells and saves creepy crawlers 9 Free Speech or Noise? by Ryan Pitkin City council approves amendments to curb clinic harassment 4 Editor’s Note by Ryan Pitkin 8 Get Fit with Britt by Brittney Pereda 10 The Seeker by Katie Grant 11 The Scanner by Ryan Pitkin
ARTS
12 Painting on the Astral Plane by Pat Moran Arthur Brouthers goes out of body
LIFELINE
14 How not to kill your social life
MUSIC
16 A Lofty Goal by Liz Logan CLT Loft Sessions gives local music fans an intimate setting to connect with artists 18 Soundwave
FOOD & DRINK
22 Farm to Table to Farm by Courtney Mihocik Jamie Lynch completes food cycle with new homestead 24 The Buzz
NIGHTLIFE
26 Tips From Last Night by Justin Zalewski 27 Crossword 28 Horoscope 29 Sudoku 30 Savage Love
Cover Design by: Dana Vindigni PHOTO BY JAYME JOHNSON
EDITOR’S NOTE LET US TELL YOU A STORY A community comes together to find solutions
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BY RYAN PITKIN
SITTING IN THE Dupp&Swat space at Camp North End on a recent Thursday afternoon, I couldn’t help but consider the significance of that 1,500-squarefoot garage studio, not just symbolically, but as an epicenter of the recent conversation around black women entrepreneurs in our city. I was there to talk to Dupp&Swat co-owner Davita Galloway and her intern Tierany GriffinPurdie about a co-working space they’re launching in Dupp&Swat called The iNCubator. Their mission is to give black creatives and entrepreneurs a welcome space to create, minus the code-switching, glares and awkward small talk that many have felt subjected to in other co-working spaces. You can find our full talk about the great things Tierany and Davita are doing with iNCubator on qcnerve.com, but the irony of meeting with the pair in that space layed in what had come before. Just last year, that same studio garage was home to Sherrell Dorsey and BLK TECH CLT. In our last issue, we published a story about Dorsey’s experience running BLK TECH, held up by city leaders and national media in recent years as a shining example of Charlotte’s burgeoning role as the “New South.” In the story, however, Sherrell discussed the closing of the BLK TECH CLT space at Camp North End, saying that she didn’t feel that the big-money investors in Charlotte — mostly older white men — even understood who the target market was for her organization, let alone why they should invest. In the end, Sherrell closed down the office, scaled back the organization’s operations and, at the time that I’m writing this, is still considering leaving town. In the article, our writer Kassidy Brown spoke to two other black women who once had promising futures in Charlotte but skipped town after feeling underappreciated and/or disinvested in. The article was shared across social media platforms in Charlotte and got attention in other parts of the country. Reactions were mixed, but for the most part, the article did exactly what we had hoped it would do: It started a conversation. We heard from folks who said they think about leaving the city on a regular basis, and we heard from plenty of others who felt they could relate to
the women in the story in different ways. We also heard from women like Davita, who moved into the space that BLK TECH vacated. Davita felt that two big parts of the story were missing: the success stories from women like her who are still in the city hustling and solutions for the very real obstacles that women like her and Sherrell face. On the Monday after the article came out, Davita and Melody Gross hosted a town hall meeting at Dupp&Swat called the State of Black Women Entrepreneurs in CLT, during which local black women discussed the staggering stats about black business ownership and, more importantly, solutions and suggestions for moving forward. I didn’t make it to that meeting. I wanted to give those women their space to speak freely. I know Davita well, and I know she has no problems critiquing our work, just as I have no problems listening to it. But I didn’t want anyone else who doesn’t know me to feel as though they weren’t able to share their thoughts comfortably. But when it comes down to it, none of that mattered. Nobody was there to tear down the article any more than they were there to tear down each other. They were there to come together and help each other forward in a city that has too often made others feel as if doing so was just too difficult. And that is what makes me most proud of Kassidy’s article. It did exactly what it was meant to do. The way I see it, we as journalists are not necessarily meant to be searching for solutions. We aim to tell people’s stories. We want to highlight people doing great work in the city, we want to shed light on people doing shitty things in the city, and in this case, we want to share the experiences of those who have the talent and ethic to do great work but can’t for whatever reason. We let them tell us what held them back, we share those stories, and then we get out of the way. When there are folks like Davita, Melody and Tierany in town to take action fighting those obstacles, I rest easy knowing that they’ve got things taken care of. As for us, we’re on to the next story. RPITKIN@QCNERVE.COM
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RESCUED IN COLD BLOOD
New alternative pet store sells and saves creepy crawlers
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BY RYAN PITKIN
ED DAVIS didn’t have to look through the microscope. He had seen what was about to happen countless times before. He let others in the store get a glimpse as one of his ant colonies went to work on a cricket, whom he had mercifully decapitated before dropping in the formicarium. The ants tore the cricket apart, starting with the softest spots but eventually removing the limbs and all, carrying the pieces down to their queen. As they worked, Davis expressed his excitement for ant-keeping, which he was only just introduced to last summer by his daughter, now 7 years old. Davis and his daughter began with one single ant, then added another before going up to seven. Now, they have six colonies ranging in size from from six ants to 900. When I tell you about Davis’ colonies, you may picture two panes of plastic filled in with sand for the ants to dig tunnels in. Uncle Milton’s Ant Farms, made famous by Milton Levine, are fun educational tools for kids, but that’s about it. They usually consist of around 30 ants that only live about 30 days. Davis’ colonies, baseball-sized formicariums attached by rubber hoses, are something else entirely. Namely, each colony has a queen, and as long as that queen can continue laying eggs, each colony could last up to 30 years. The way Davis sees it, the colony itself is the living animal, not the ant. “I don’t think of them as ants, I think of them as a single organism — a superorganism,” Davis said. “When we first started, my daughter was upset because one worker ant died, but it’s kind of like thinking about skin cells; you don’t mourn skin cells. It’s part of the larger organism. Each individual ant is dumb, but the combination of them is really, really smart, and that’s what I love about it personally. I just love the concept that you have individuals working for a greater whole.” Armed with one single fire ant queen, which
can lay up to 1,600 eggs in a single day, Davis will soon begin constructing an ant colony for display at Cold Blooded & Bizarre, a new pet store in east Charlotte that caters to folks like him who keep the kinds of pets that inspire double-takes, wide eyes, shivers or screams at your average pet shop. Cold Blooded & Bizarre is home to hundreds of reptiles and amphibians, including turtles and toads, snakes and skinks. Three Chicago natives — Patrick Kamberos and Michael and Shay Edelen — opened the store in February, and not only provide help to cold-blooded-pet owners like Davis, but serve as a boarding location, funeral home and rescue operation as well. When Queen City Nerve visited on a recent Friday morning, the shop was housing an iguana that they named Captain Ahab, who had been found at a park off South Boulevard. The folks who found Ahab said they thought she was dead, but when they went to move her, she twitched one of her legs. Ahab’s two front feet were severely burned, and although they were bandaged up on the day of our visit, they would later need to be removed. The owners are now working with a customer who has a 3D printer to potentially build a prosthetic leg for Ahab. The original plan for the shop didn’t include a rescue operation, but that’s the way it’s gone so far. The staff estimated that they get about one rescue a day, most of which are unannounced. “I was kind of surprised at the amount of rescues that we’re getting in,” Kamberos said. “Some of them we’re not expecting. They don’t call first, it’s just like, ‘Oh hey, here’s three turtles.’ ‘Alright, what are we going to do with these guys?’ We find them some spots and give them some love and do our best to rehabilitate.” During our visit, a woman walked in with a gargoyle gecko she could no longer keep. Rachel Levi, the store’s lizard expert, was on the case. She immediately began analyzing the needs of the
COLD BLOODED & BIZARRE 3000 Central Ave., Suite 8; Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 704-312-0320; tinyurl.com/ColdBloodedBizarre
Cold Blooded & Bizarre co-owner Shay Edelen holds a baby lavender tiger motley reticulated python named Hera.
gecko. She deemed the enclosure that the gecko’s former owner brought in to be in good shape, so they could keep the gargoyle in there for some time while they waited to see how it would deal with living in a space with so many other animals. As for its care regimen, Levi wasn’t worried about that. When asked if she’d have to look up any special needs for the species, she quickly answered, “These guys are very similar to crested geckos, which are very easy to take care of in general.” We took her word for it. The rest of the team hasn’t ducked their calling as saurian protectors, either. In fact, they’ve recently begun working on forming a nonprofit rescue separate from the store, partly because
they’re running out of room. “I’d like to model it after something similar to the Carolina Raptor Center,” Michael said. “There’s so many animals — for example, the iguana. We are hoping and doing everything in our power to be able to save its life. Is it ever going to be a normal iguana again? No. But can it have a happy rest of its life? We truly, wholeheartedly believe so. The idea is we want it to be an educational experience for adults and children. We’d like to work with the community, create jobs and create awareness.” Michael’s love for the reptilian and amphibian worlds started early, growing up next door to a shop called Chicago Reptile House. He went there every day after school, “like clockwork”, he said, and
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Hera (below) is 6.5 feet, but is expected to grow up to 20. The taxidermied deer standing above it is done growing.
stayed until sundown. He bought his first reptile at 5 years old, his first snake at 8, and by high school his collection of animals totaled 15. Now 30, Michael has about 27 pets in his personal collection, although he cares for each of the many pets at the shop. That number changes daily, but one recent day found 261 creatures in his care. Before meeting Mike in 2013, Shay grew up wanting to be a veterinarian. She eventually decided she couldn’t deal with the regular deaths of her pet patients and became a hairdresser instead. During our visit, Shay was nursing a uromastyx lizard that had been brought into the store in bad shape and needed to be force-fed daily. At 34, she’s living a version of her veterinarian dreams. “We’re pretty much keeping a zoo here,” she said. “They have to be fed every day, some need medication, it requires a lot of extra work ... but we really like it. We get to play with animals all day, so that’s a lot of fun, but it can be challenging to battle the work life with the home life.” Kamberos grew up down the street from Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the only free zoos in the country. He and his mother were near-daily visitors to the park, and at home he preferred being outside catching bugs and herping — the technical term for finding and collecting reptiles and amphibians — to staying inside playing video games. It was an overseas outdoor childhood experience that began a different type of collection that now decorates the interior of Cold Blooded & Bizarre: dead animals. Kamberos found a sheep skull in an Ireland field when he was just 5 years old, and as he puts it, he’s
been into weird stuff ever since. Now, skulls from all types of horned animals look down on shoppers, hung next to taxidermied deer heads and even a screaming monkey. The decor supplements the creepy feeling already involved with perusing an inventory that includes tarantulas, pythons and poison dart frogs looking out from their temporary homes. However, Kamberos emphasized that no animals were harmed in the making of his collection, at least not under his orders. “We didn’t hurt, harm, maim, hunt, kill or cause discomfort to any animals for the sake of the collection,” he said. “They all come to us secondhand from estate sales, antique stores, auctions, flea markets, that sort of thing … If it’s dead, it’s still useful and educational, and it’s still beautiful. You just gotta get past the stinky stage.” Education is a big part of the Cold Blooded & Bizarre mission for its live animals, too. Shay has set up a reptile petting zoo at her son’s preschool, and the team has been in talks with the local YMCA to bring kids in for an educational experience. One woman even came in with her psychiatrist to help conquer her fear of snakes, which was so strong that she couldn’t handle watching a cartoon snake on television. Shay and Michael spent an hour with the woman, walking through the store and discussing snake anatomy. She eventually touched three snakes before leaving. “She was so thankful because that morning, she didn’t think she was going to be able to even walk in the front door,” Michael said, “and we made such
There are more than 1,000 non-living pieces housed in the store, all part of Patrick Kamberos’ collection.
A blue-tongued skink is looking for a home.
an impact that she was able to interact and actually touch a snake when she has an extreme phobia.” It’s not just kids and ophidiophobes that have a lot to learn. Education plays an important role in every purchase made at Cold Blooded & Bizarre. Herpin’ ain’t easy, and the store staff isn’t going to let just anyone walk out the door with a new pet. “We won’t sell an animal to somebody if we don’t think that they’re going to take proper care of it,” Kamberos said. “It’s more than just a price tag to us. A lot of times, people will come in and say, ‘Aww, I want that,’ because it looks really cool, but that’s an advanced reptile. You gotta start with a more basic one that’s easier to take care of.” Michael said selling an animal to someone can be similar to an interview process, but not because they want to turn anyone away. “It’s more about educating individuals, because a lot of times all I have to do is really explain, ‘This is what you’re signing up for,’” Michael said. “And
I’ve talked plenty of people out of what they were pointing at. I can neg them out. ‘Oh no, you don’t want that monitor [lizard].’” You know what could be a better place to start? Ants. While those aren’t for sale at Cold Blooded & Bizarre, Davis’ new display will certainly give shoppers a feel for how a real colony is worlds apart from an ant farm, adding one more educational aspect to the shop. And with hundreds of other animals for sale ranging from beautiful and exotic to creepy and glutinous — including tiny toads, rare snakes, blue-tongued lizards and monitors larger than your computer screen — something will crawl into your heart. The team at Cold Blooded & Bizarre is well aware of the odds they’re up against opening an SEE COLD PG. 8
GET FIT WITH BRITT YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE How lack of sleep plays into your physical well-being BY BRITTNEYBY PEREDA BRITTNEY PEREDA
Co-owner Michael Edelen bonds with a red-tailed boa.
A black roughneck monitor that some in the store have taken to calling Rico.
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COLD FROM PG. 7 independent pet store in 2019. Big box stores like PetSmart and Petco have long been eating into the clientele of mom-and-pop shops, but more recently, e-commerce has chewed up the profit for all brick-and-mortar retail pet stores. According to Moody’s Analytics, online sales are the fastest-growing channel for pet sales in the country, and that trend is expected to continue, thanks in part to the convenience of having bulk packages of pet food delivered straight to the customer’s door. That negatively affects walk-in traffic at stores like Cold Blooded & Bizarre, hampering the staff’s ability to educate customers, debunk misperceptions and find homes for the overwhelming amount of animals coming in the door. “It’s hard to keep up and stay competitive with pricing and all that — with the overhead that comes with retail versus just having a warehouse and doing it online,” Michael said. “But after I had thought about it long and hard, if I did not grow up
next to a reptile store where I was able to physically go in, I would not have that same passion as I do now with this. You really get an experience here that you’re not going to get in other pet stores or online.” Cold Blooded also offers up quality food options that can be hard for owners to find elsewhere in town. For example, many big box stores have stopped selling live feeders like rats for snakes, and the ones they do sell may not be checked for quality. Davis, for example, lost an entire colony of ants after serving them crickets from PetSmart that were infested with mites. Even though the store doesn’t sell ants, he still sees it as a savior for his hobby. “Honestly, I probably would have been stuck if they hadn’t opened when they did,” Davis said. As would have Captain Ahab, and hundreds of other animals that nobody knew were in need. RPITKIN@QCNERVE.COM
IT’S 12 P.M. and you’ve just finished bingewatching whatever’s new on Netflix. You hop into bed for some shut eye, but not without scrolling the ‘Gram one more time just to make sure no one has posted anything you might have missed in the last 10 minutes. Finally, you shut off that awful blue light and lay down to close your eyes, knowing that you have to be up for work in just 5 short hours. Each day, this loop plays on repeat. It might not go down that exact way for you, but when asked how many hours of sleep they get, most folks answer a consistent 5 to 6 hours. You’ll sleep when you’re dead, as the expression goes. Whatever reason you have for not reaching that elusive 8 hours of sleep, I’m here to tell you that you need to figure out a way to help your body rest and recover properly — no if, ands or buts about it. There are countless reasons for why a lack of sleep is so horrible for a person’s health, but I am going to cover the one I know best based on the industry I represent: How sleep helps in overall weight loss and keeping quality muscle mass. There are a wide variety of sleep studies conducted over the years in which the data has stayed very consistent. These studies are finally getting recognition now, and quite honestly, factors like sleep need to be discussed more inside the fitness and health industry. People seem to think losing weight only means keeping a caloric deficit and working out as hard as they possibly can. Don’t get me wrong, those things matter greatly, but sometimes the equation doesn’t stop there. The connection between sleep and weight is becoming more and more clear, but the exact components involved are still being studied. From what we do know, based on the way our bodies work, insufficient sleep does cause changes in the hormones leptin and ghrelin. Ghrelin is our “appetite” hormone and leptin is our “full” hormone. Sleepy people tend to be more hungry, meaning they will consume more energy than someone fully rested. The National Sleep Foundation published an article proving that, through imaging studies, we know that when a person is sleep-deprived, they are less likely to resist eating unhealthy foods or food in bulk.
But ghrelin and leptin aren’t the only hormones affected either, insulin plays a role as well. Less sleep will absolutely affect the production of insulin, which in turn lowers an individual’s metabolic rate (slow metabolism, as most of you know, is not so good for fat or weight loss). So how much sleep is needed for a more healthy lifestyle regimen? As I noted above, and has become common knowledge to the point of almost being a cliche at this point, the simple answer is at least 8 hours. In a study done by Nedeltcheva et al. in 2010, subjects were placed on a weight-loss diet and divided into two sleep interventions: 8.5 hours per night for two weeks or 5.5 hours per night for two weeks. Calories and macronutrients were evenly distributed amongst both groups. Weight loss happened in both groups, but significantly less fat and more fat-free mass (aka muscle) was lost during the 5.5 hour condition. That is absolutely, 100% not what we want to see when we are looking to improve our body composition, now is it? We want to keep good quality muscle while getting rid of the extra fat. In that same study, it was also shown that RMR (resting metabolic rate, or what you burn calorically each day by just resting) decreased significantly in the 5.5-hour group compared to the 8.5-hour group. Again, we really want our metabolism to work for us at the highest rate possible if we want to cut fat. So you see, the saying, “You snooze, you lose,” is actually quite accurate when it comes to weight. Now that you know the facts, all it takes is making sleep a priority. Taking a step back and figuring out why you can’t sleep or don’t sleep enough can be more simple than you think. One way to start is by putting down the phone, turning off the television a couple hours before bedtime — maybe reading a good book instead or meditating to some nature sounds before finally tucking yourself in. Obviously, you’re also going to want to make that bedtime a bit earlier, if you can. As they say, we don’t ever get back the time we’ve lost sleeping, but we can definitely better our sleep for a more productive future. Sweet dreams. INFO@QCNERVE.COM
FREE SPEECH OR NOISE?
City council approves amendments to curb clinic harassment
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BY RYAN PITKIN
CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL approved changes to the local noise ordinance at its Monday meeting, creating “buffer zones” that prohibit amplified noise within 150 feet of medical facilities, places of worship and schools. The vote came after a contentious three hours, during which activists staged a direct action protest that sent council into recess, followed by a public forum that saw more than 100 people address the council about the changes to the noise ordinance. Much of the controversy revolved around abortion access, as protests outside of clinics in Charlotte have intensified in recent years. Most of the speakers at Monday’s meeting — whether for or against the changes — discussed abortion access in some way or another. Many of those speaking against the changes were there with Love Life Charlotte, a group that holds Saturday protests outside A Preferred Women’s Health Center in east Charlotte. Just as the meeting began around 6:30 p.m. on Monday night, a group of seven activists rushed the dais, with two jumping up on the dais and holding a sign that read, “City of Charlotte silences women, amplifies misogyny.” On the floor, a woman read a prepared statement, stating in part, “We refuse to accept this little noise ordinance, which is nothing but an empty liberal promise compared to what the working class actually deserve, which is the right to access abortion without fear of misogynist retaliation.” Following the speech, the activists tried to leave the building. Two were arrested in the chambers, while another was arrested in the atrium outside. Much of Monday night’s debate centered around whether the new ordinance would prohibit free speech by not allowing noise at a certain
volume near the aforementioned institutions. While a majority of public forum speakers who showed up on Monday night spoke against the changes, more than half of those speakers do not actually live in Charlotte. One Charlotte woman who spoke against the changes was Megan Tolosa, who accused the council of trying to suppress those they disagree with politically. “You haven’t been able to silence the voices you disagree with so you take away their microphone?” Tolosa asked. With well over 100 Love Life supporters in attendance on Monday night, many of them were forced to watch from outside the council chambers in the atrium, from which their loud cheers could be heard in the chambers after each speaker who opposed the changes. Alix Healy, a supporter of the changes, said that, despite claims of discrimination by many Love Life marchers at Monday’s meeting, reproductive health clinics already face discrimination at the hands of the hundreds of protesters who show up outside their doors to yell at employees, patients and patient companions, often with loudspeakers. “Free speech does not protect dangerous behavior,” Healy said. Many Love Life representatives on Monday maintained that they are only at the clinic to worship and pray, stating that they do not yell at or disrespect the patients. The new ordinance will not prohibit them from prayer or worship, nor will it keep them from standing any specific distance from the clinic property line. The new changes will, however, prohibit Love Life from holding concerts with large speakers just across the street from the clinic, as they often do, and on a stage the organization built next to the clinic on a property that they bought and cleared
Activists rushed the dais to voice support for abortion access as Charlotte City Council began its meeting on June 24.
PHOTO BY RYAN PITKIN
“FREE SPEECH DOES NOT PROTECT DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR.” Alix Healy
for that purpose. At-large council member Dimple Ajmera was the first to speak following the long public forum on Monday night. “This is an issue of access to healthcare,” Ajmera said. “We, the city, are not in the business to provide healthcare services, however, we are in the business of ensuring our residents have access to healthcare in a safe and respectful manner.” District 7 representative Ed Driggs followed up on Ajmera’s comments by saying that he would vote against the changes. “I do regret these women approaching the clinic in a difficult situation are subjected to the stress, and I don’t personally approve of the use of overly loud noise to try and heighten that distress,” Driggs said. “However, we do have to realize that any attempt to address the situation at [APWHC], is going to lead to a public abortion and First Amendment debate, and I think that’s perfectly clear from our experience here. The public
meetings, the emails and tonight’s session, it’s perfectly clear that while we may be talking about sound, everyone else is talking about something else.” Driggs, who has long voiced his opposition to the noise ordinance changes, voted against them, along with fellow Republican council member Tariq Bokhari and District 4 Democratic representative Greg Phipps. After the 8-3 vote in favor of the changes, many of those in attendance spilled out into the atrium of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. On the steps of the building, Love Life founder Justin Reeder rallied his supporters by playing on the “persecution” theme and saying that the new changes to the law were a good sign. “I believe that this is going to do nothing but accelerate the advancement of the kingdom,” Reeder told the crowd. “Any time there’s any persecution of any type, there’s always an acceleration.” RPITKIN@QCNERVE.COM
THE SEEKER I’M HYP TO IT
Follow me down the hypnosis hole
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BY KATIE GRANT
AMID MY PROFESSIONAL transition from a creative agency job to the nonprofit sector, I couldn’t help but feel haunted by a nagging sense of inadequacy. I was reminded that we are not born feeling inadequate; life experiences coagulate and compound within us, molding us into the person we become. On that note, I recently received a friendly message on my LinkedIn page congratulating me on my new job. The man behind the comment was from Charlotte Hypnosis Services, so of course I did a little online sleuthing. I have been considering hypnosis as a possible stress reliever for some time and this gentleman’s impeccably timed comment could be the catalyst. I made a hypnotherapy appointment for the next afternoon. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Mark Bell, a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, certified professional life coach and certified hypnotist with the International Certification Board of Clinical Hypnotherapy. Mark walked me through a few “suggestibility tests” to see how susceptible I am to suggestion and hypnosis. He had me extend my hands in front of me, palms up. He invited me to close my eyes and pretend his fingers, which were lightly touching my right hand, were a heavy book weighing my arm down. I was skeptical, but sure enough, I opened my eyes and my right hand was almost in my lap. The next techniques he introduced were ones I could take with me and keep in my “toolbelt” for when felt anxious or discouraged. These included a mindfulness meditation, which Mark later texted to me for referential listening, and a spirit animal meditation during which I was prompted to invoke admirable qualities of my chosen totem. I envisioned a lioness, naturally, as she represents courage to overcome difficulties. A third technique is a simple-yet-powerful neurolinguistic programming method called Circle of Excellence. To perform the Circle of Excellence, start by mentally drawing a circle on the ground in front of you and step into it. Imagine good things about yourself — goals achieved, strengths and how you
feel when you’re at your best. Take a deep breath and live in those positive vibes. Lastly, we embarked on the hypnotherapy portion of the journey. According to an article by Dr. Katharina Star published in the Verywell Mind blog, “hypnotherapy is a technique used to assist a person in an altered state of consciousness, known as a trance. While in a hypnotic state, a person is deeply relaxed, keenly focused, and highly open to suggestibility. Also referred to as hypnosis, hypnotherapy is used to help manage a variety of health issues, including stress, skin conditions, weight loss, addiction, grief, sleep disorders, and smoking cessation.” Stress, be gone! Laying on the couch under a warm blanket, I closed my eyes as instructed and the soft tone of Mark’s voice lulled me into relaxed mental state, which happened much quicker than I’d expected. He invited me to imagine a calming color washing over me. Sage came to mind. The color green supposedly has healing powers and is the most relaxing color for the human eye to view. As I drifted off into a meditative state, I was reminded to let my mind wander, not to fight it. After being guided through an approximated 15-minute confidence journey I felt calm, both physically and mentally. I was invited to gently awaken as he counted backwards, becoming more aware of my surroundings. Because hypnotherapy involves deep mind and body relaxation, an altered state of consciousness leads to a heightened focus. This increased focus results in a higher susceptibility to suggestion. It was during this window that he reiterated the techniques he previously shared to help me evoke confidence and release negative thought patterns. Because the hypnosis process is so subjective, it’s really only the person who has been hypnotized who can assess the outcome. Plus, memory is impaired during the hypnotic process which adds to the difficulty of assessing whether or not the treatment worked. I would consider trying it again, but at $160 per session, it’s a steep ask for a technique that doesn’t provide tangible results. INFO@QCNERVE.COM
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SCANNER BY RYAN PITKIN
TOOTHLESS Police responded to the Ashley Park neighborhood of west Charlotte after a man’s home was broken into overnight. The 44-year-old victim told police that the unknown suspect broke into his home and made off with a black backpack that held some of his belongings, including a bank card, a Social Security card and his ID. There was one item in the backpack more valuable than all of that, though -- valuable enough to turn this burglary into a felony, despite the fact that the thief surely didn’t want it. Listed as stolen in the report was a full set of dentures worth $3,000.
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WATCH ME Police recently responded to a disturbance at a home in the Nevin area of north Charlotte and found a man who had been arguing with a 47-year-old woman and her 22-year-old son, who both lived on the property. Police told the nonresident to leave the property and not come back, which he did for a short time. That should have been the end of it, but something about the argument stuck in the suspect’s craw, and he was determined to have the last word. The man didn’t even wait for officers to leave before returning to the property and, in full view of the police, throwing a brick right that a stranger came into the spa and sprayed an through family’s living room window, doing $900 in unknown fluid in her face before walking out on a recent Monday afternoon. damage. PARTY CRASHER Around 9:30 p.m. on a recent Friday night, a police officer parked his car on East Independence Boulevard to block a lane of traffic while fellow officers conducted an accident investigation on the street. Little did he know that he was about to sacrifice his squad car for the protection of those officers. At 9:49 p.m., the officer was still sitting in the vehicle when an unrelated car came crashing right into him then stopped near the first accident scene. Fortunately, nobody was hurt in the second accident, though the driver of the car that caused it was later found to be driving while impaired and arrested on the scene. MASSAGE OILS Employees at a spa are usually knowledgeable about different liquids, but a 56-year-old woman working at Aura Spa on North Tryon Street in north Charlotte was mistified by a secret substance used against her in an alleged recent assault. The woman filed a report stating
HOLD THE MUSTARD A 35-year-old living in the Selwyn Flats apartment complex in south Charlotte got a bad start to his week when he woke up on a recent Monday morning to find that someone had vandalized his motorcycle -- or tried to anyway. The man told police that he had parked his motorcycle in front of his apartment and placed a cover over it, only to come out the next morning and find why that cover was necessary: Some hungry fella had poured ketchup all over the cover. Thanks to the cover, a quick hosedown was all that was needed to get his ride back to non-edible status. BOUNCER BASH A member of the security team at WhiteHouse NightClub in west Charlotte got overly aggressive during a fight inside the club on a recent Saturday night and ended up with assault charges. According to a 25-year-old woman who was in the club at the time of the fight, the bouncer picked up a stanchion — those metal posts that hold the red
velvet ropes in place — and threw it, striking her in the face. The bouncer was charged with aggravated assault. RESHOOT If you’re going to get rid of your gun in America, you might as well recycle it so someone else can use it, right? That was someone’s thought process in east Charlotte, based on a report that came from Lupie’s Cafe on Monroe Road. According to staff there, an employee went out to put a bag of bottles in the recycling one recent morning and found a shotgun sitting in the recycling dumpster. The gun was not reported as stolen, so employees asked that it be disposed of properly. PILLOW FIGHT I see it all the time: staff at a local hotel is alerted by their custodial team that someone has trashed a hotel room. These reports usually consist of shattered TV screens, stolen refrigerators, maybe a broken headboard or two. But one report from Home2 Suites in west Charlotte was a very mild version of the cliche trashed hotel room story. According to the report, a man who was staying in the room took a knife and cut through
four pillows in his room, then scattered the feathers around the room. Other than the pain in the ass it must have been to clean it all up, the damage was minimal, listed on the report at just $20. Officers noted that “the reporting person does not know why the suspect damaged the property.” CONSENT A 29-year-old man filed a police report after being assaulted at a 7-Eleven on The Plaza in northeast Charlotte recently, and he made sure to be clear that he did not like being assaulted one bit. The man told officers that he got into an argument with a man in the gas station parking lot, and the suspect sprayed him with pepper spray. According to the report, “The victim advised that he has never seen the suspect before and he did not give the suspect permission to pepper spray him.” Good to know. All Scanner entries come from CMPD reports. Suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
PHOTO BY MARK BORJA
PAINTING ON THE ASTRAL PLANE
Arthur Brouthers goes out of body
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L
Arthur Brouthers in the studio.
“IT’S COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT’S NOT ANYTHING I’VE EVER SEEN BEFORE. THERE’S NO EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW.” Arthur Brouthers
BY PAT MORAN
IZ MCLAUGHLIN woke up in the middle of the night and realized that she had left her body. “I looked over at my clock and I was floating,” McLaughlin remembers. “I was looking down at myself.” Her hands seemed to be made of light, and when she reached down to pet her dog sleeping at the foot of the bed, her hands passed right through the slumbering animal. McLaughlin woke suddenly with a feeling that she had just dropped back into her body, but she knew this was no dream. She’d just had an out-of-body experience. Out of Body is the name of the art exhibit featuring McLaughlin’s friend, Charlotte painter Arthur Brouthers, that opens July 12 at C3Lab. The show features 40 paintings by Brouthers, produced in his signature textured and multicolored style, plus the Out of Body Experience Simulator, an interactive installation co-produced by McLaughlin that promises to simulate, and possibly trigger, a meditative state in participants. Brouthers and McLaughlin can’t guarantee that patrons will have an out-of-body experience like McLaughlin’s, but they hope to promote the benefits of meditation. Brouthers, now 42 years old, says he’s been meditating for over half his life “We live in a society of fear,” he says. “Mediation helps you step outside of that and be present with yourself and your surroundings. It’s a great tool to help people be in the now.” McLaughlin, a Charlotte-based NBC reporter covering emerging technology and consumer trends, met Brouthers four years ago because of her interest in the intersection between creative pursuits and technology. She found the perfect example of that synergy in Brouther’s paintings — explosions of color that catapult viewers to the outer edges of the cosmos, then pull them back to contemplate the hidden microscopic world. It’s a push-and-pull similar to McLaughlin’s subsequent out-of-body experience. The two friends discovered a shared interest in meditation and metaphysics. They joined a meditation group that goes on annual retreats. The first was a silent retreat where no one spoke a word. It’s counterintuitive, McLaughlin says, but she feels the experience drew the group members closer together.
“We’re always talking about weird things [like] astral projection,” Brouthers says of the meditation group. “A lot of our work has to do with transcendence and rising above all that’s going on with media, the world and our lives.” Such ruminations, a confluence of the cosmic and the concrete, spurred what Brouthers called a crazy idea: Why not pair his textured paintings, which simultaneously remind people of the cosmic and the microscopic, with an interactive sensory stimulus module that combines meditation, animation, modern art and sound design? Brouthers felt the time was ripe to collaborate with other artists on the idea as Charlotte is starting to test the calming waters of meditation. The practice has becoming increasingly popular with everyone from young folks to Uptown business people, he says. Plans were hatched for the simulator. Brouthers felt that McLaughlin — with her background in organization, delegation and outreach — was the perfect person to oversee the collaboration. “My role is bringing everyone together and making sure it will logistically work,” McLaughlin says. No one has ever tried to create an installation like this before, she continues, so details are still being fleshed out. The project’s moving pieces include contributions from four artists. Graphic artist Pureum Lee is designing 3D animation that resembles magical and organic odds and ends, Brouthers says, which will be projected on the installation’s walls and ceiling, providing a window into outer space ... or another dimension. A guided meditation, where participants will breathe in and out in synch, is being written by astral projection specialist Claire Santos, a sound healer who works with crystal singing bowls. The meditation will be voiced by Irish artist Elizabeth Porritt Carrington. Ambient composer Ryan Persaud is creating electronic soundscapes designed to transport listeners to another realm. When all the elements come together, the installation will seem to be moving and breathing with the participants. At least that’s the plan. “It’s complicated because it’s not anything I’ve ever seen before,” Brouthers says. “There’s no example to follow.” Despite the solitary nature of painting, Brouthers
for an abstract/figurative hybrid. Brouthers is also a photographer, and he shoots all the figures he uses in his work. “If certain ideas come up that I feel would go well with a figure, I’ll do a photo shoot and try to make that idea come to life,” he continues. One such piece appearing in the show, “Transcending-Lourent,” is a perfect example of Brouthers’ approach to his art, a gestalt of form, function and message. Over a dark background, a female figure glances down. Multi-hued starbursts and tendrils of color seem to be exploding out of the back of her head. Brouthers says the image depicts the process of coming into and out of a meditative state. “The painting represents the vibration and oneness with everything that surrounds us,” Brouthers says. It’s an encapsulation of the Out of Body exhibit, where Brouthers’ art flows seamlessly into the show’s mission to promote the positive and ARTWORK BY ARTHUR BROUTHERS transcendent benefits of meditation. You never know what a show like this can in exchange for money and a place to live. In time, inspire, Brouthers continues. however, Brouthers grew weary of the DJ life. “I was introduced to meditation when I was “There were these shady characters around really young, and it changed everything for me,” he all the time,” Brouthers explains. “And it was tiring says. “It’s about encouraging people to be present. I being up really late.” When his art show at a NoDa jewelry store sold 75% of the paintings displayed, Brouthers decided to focus on painting full-time. His figurative work took a startling turn in 2007 when Brouthers devised an abstract painting technique using acrylic paints, a handful of other chemical agents and plenty of water. His work became a riot of freeflowing forms, colors and textures. Brouthers started posting images of his innovative work on Instagram and got a lot of inquiries. People asked him how he produced his effects, what kind of paint he used and myriad other questions. Within two years, Brouthers’ work was appearing in ads and his career blew up. “It was like the tie-dye of the 2000s,” Brouthers remembers. “It was crazy.” When Brouthers starts working on a new piece, he’s not sure what it will become. The painting may emerge as abstract, representational or an astonishing mix of the two approaches. He starts painting on the canvas and sees what happens. Depending on the unfolding image, he’ll make the work figurative or not. “I ask [myself], do I like it by itself or is it a good design for figurative work?” Brouthers explains. His usual process is to finish an abstract canvas, look at it for a few days, and see if it sparks ideas ‘OUT OF BODY’ OPENING RECEPTION July 12, 7 p.m.; Free; C3 Lab, 2525 Distribution St.; arthurbrouthers.com
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“Coming Back”
is pleased to be collaborating with others. He feels that successful artists like him often get help from others, but that they neglect to give credit to their collaborators. He’ll have none of that. There’s also a practical advantage to making the simulator a team effort. As it’s part of a larger show, and Brouthers is painting nonstop to meet the deadline for the show’s opening. Of the 40 paintings comprising the exhibition, a handful is coming from galleries in Asheville and New York, but they’ve never been shown in Charlotte. The bulk of the exhibit’s paintings are brand new. Some will still be drying or curing as they hang on the gallery’s walls, Brouthers says. Brouthers showed an interest in sketching and drawing at an early age. He got accepted into a handful of prestigious art schools straight out of high school, but his parents saw no future in his dream career. Instead, Brouthers studied graphic design, and in an act of rebellion against his parents he started DJing on the side. It was the early ’90s, the dawn of the rave scene, and Brouthers’ music career took off. At the same time, he didn’t give up on his art. During the week, he painted, sketched and studied art history, and on weekends he manned the turntables. Then both careers began to merge. When Red Bull, one of Brouthers’ music connections, found out he was an artist, they commissioned him to produce paintings for some of their accounts. A friend introduced Brouthers to a fledgling company called Airbnb, and soon he was producing work for high-volume properties
Brouthers spinning paint for the ‘Personal Universe’ series.
PHOTO BY MARK BORJA
think they should have [meditation] in school here.” For McLaughlin, the show’s message is both simple and profound: People can take a moment to pause in their busy lives. They can put away their phones for a few minutes and remember to breathe. “It sounds simple, right?” McLaughlin says. “I remember when I first heard about meditation I thought, that’s stupid. You’re just sitting still and breathing. But that simple act turns out to be very powerful.” PMORAN@QCNERVE.COM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3RD
USA VS. CUBA
What: The Cuban national team will make its third stop in Charlotte after playing at BB&T in 2015 and 2017 to play the U.S. collegiate team as part of the annual International Friendly Series. The U.S. looks to build on a fourseries winning streak, followed by an impressive firework show for the Fourth of July. More: $9 and up; 7:04 p.m.; BB&T Ballpark, 324 S. Mint St.; tinyurl.com/DefectToCLT
THURSDAY, JULY 4TH
PAINT & PLAY THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
What: Where else can you express your creativity, listen to spoken word, get a massage, learn to line dance and get some drinks while you’re at it? The Queen City Urban Art Showcase is celebrating three years on the day America celebrates 243, so it’s something to do that’s not run-of-the-mill fireworks. More: $25, 5-7 p.m., 7:30-9:30 p.m.; The Magistique Center, 5309 E. Independence Blvd.; tinyurl.com/UrbArt
FRIDAY, JULY 5TH
LIFELINE
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JULY 3RD - JULY 9TH
MODERN PRIMITIVES VIDEO RELEASE
What: In the 2016 video for garage glam psych-rockers Modern Primitives’ “Lay With the Dead,” the band was stalked through a warehouse, where each member eventually died a gruesome death. We’re hoping they fare better in their new video, as they’ll be premiering it at Snug alongside Psyche Ops and Turbo Blood. More: $5; 9 p.m.; Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St.; tinyurl.com/LongLiveModernPrim
SATURDAY, JULY 6TH
FABULOSO: AN AWARENESS PARTY
What: If you pass out after the Modern Primitives show and wake up in the alley next to Snug 18 hours later, you’re in a good spot. The next night, they’re hosting a party to raise awareness for Comunidad Colectiva, which fights for immigrants in Charlotte, featuring performances from Chócala, Quisol and Sister Mantos. More: $7; 7:30 p.m.; Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St.; tinyurl.com/ComunidadColectiva
SUNDAY, JULY 7TH
PWX WRESTLING: LEGEND
What: We usually only find ourselves at Grady Cole to watch the Charlotte Roller Girls beat the hell out of the other team. Now’s a chance to go for a different reason: watch random men beat the shit out of each other. There’s a meet and greet with Liger at the end, which we assume is a wrestler and not an actual liger. More: $15 and up; 6 p.m.; Grady Cole Center, 310 N. Kings Drive; tinyurl.com/PetTheLiger
MONDAY, JULY 8TH
BLA/ALT SUMMER RESIDENCY
What: In its third year, the black alternative music festival continues to redefine and expand the horizons of black music. Spread over a summer at Petra’s, this second night of the fest-curated residency features Lofidel’s angular art punk, genre-jumping indie rockers Foxture and Black Haus’ electro-rap R&B. More: $5; 7 p.m.; Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.; petrasbar.com
TUESDAY, JULY 9TH ‘HELLO, DOLLY’
What: Boasting sumptuous scenic design, eye-popping costumes and an agreeably silly storyline, Hello, Dolly is a musical theater classic with a weird focus on greed. The heroine, played by powerhouse diva Betty Buckley, is all about the Benjamins. Maybe the show isn’t so nostalgic after all. More: $25 and up; 7:30 p.m., through July 14; Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon St.; blumenthalarts.org
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 10TH
ELECTION SEASON KICK-OFF
What: Presidential campaigns are in full swing, but it’s time we start to pay attention to the elections that affect us most — and are actually happening relatively soon. WCCB’s Courtney Francisco and activist attorney Andrew Fede welcome 2019 political candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, mayor, city council and school board. More: $15 and up; 6 p.m.; Grady Cole Center, 310 N. Kings Drive; tinyurl.com/VoteYaDummy
THURSDAY, JULY 11TH
FIRST ANNUAL CAPOEIRA FESTIVAL AND BAUTIZADO
What: Capoeira is the traditional Brazilian style of dancing that fuses martial arts and acrobatics with musical elements. It’s now a three-day celebration in Charlotte featuring new students at the International Capoeira School and ending with a party at Camp North End Saturday night. More: $15 and up; 2 p.m., through July 13; International Capoeira School, 635 Atando Ave.; tinyurl.com/NCBAP
FRIDAY, JULY 12TH
LIFELINE
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JULY 10TH - JULY 16TH
PANTEÓN ROCOCÓ
What: Veteran Mexico City ska band Panteón Rococó are huge stars in their homeland, but didn’t reach U.S. ears until they were 12 years into their now decades-long career. Time hasn’t dimmed their energy, their defiantly leftwing political stance or the inventiveness of their ska, punk, merengue and indie rock mix. More: $30-35; 8 p.m.; Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St.; neighborhoodtheatre.com
SATURDAY, JULY 13TH
MINEFAIRE: OFFICIAL MINECRAFT COMMUNITY EVENT
What: Just like the open-world sandbox style of the beloved block-building Minecraft, the Minefaire event has a plethora of activities, merch and experiences for players and attendees. More: $39.99-$89.99; 10 a.m., through July 14; The Park Expo & Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road; minefaire.com
SUNDAY, JULY 14TH
BALLROOM UNITY FESTIVAL 2019
What: Part cookout, part community resource fair, the Ballroom Unity Festival supports the LBGTQ+ community in the fight against HIV under the House Lives Matter movement. No, it’s not stuffy outfits and organized waltzes, it’s Black and Latinx dance culture born from the ballrooms of New York City 50 years ago. More: Free; 1 p.m.; Dorothy Doores Waddy Pavilion, 3132 Manchester Dr.; tinyurl.com/BallroomUnity2019
MONDAY, JULY 15TH CLT BURGER WEEK
What: Take a big, juicy bite out of a burger on Monday. Repeat Tuesday. And again. And again. And again. At participating restaurants like RiRa’s, Whiskey Warehouse, The Improper Pig and more, select burgers are only $6. Don’t get too crazy and make yourself sick of burgers for the rest of your life. Also, tip your server. More: $6 per burger; runs through July 21; various locations; cltburgerweek.com
TUESDAY, JULY 16TH FOREPLAY GOES SOUTH
What: Did you lose your virginity in a ménage a trios? Do you have a foot fetish? Did you hire Russian hookers to pee on the president? You get seven minutes to share your tales of love and lust in this monthly kiss-and-tell open mic ranging from the chaste to the lurid. More: Free; 7 p.m.; Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Ave.; petrasbar.com
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“EVERYONE BITCHES ABOUT [CHARLOTTE] BUT IT’S THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR LIGHTNING TO STRIKE.” Sara Colèe
Yung Citizen performs at a recent CLT Loft Sessions.
A LOFTY GOAL
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CLT Loft Sessions gives local music fans an intimate setting to connect with artists
T
BY LIZ LOGAN
RUE FRIENDSHIP can bloom in the in a church parking lot, both wearing Star Wars shirts.
least suspecting of places. The seed can be planted in line at the cafe, when you’re stopping in for your morning coffee. That passing conversation that lays the foundation for friendship could happen in a parking lot, where instead of getting in your car and driving away from an encounter unchanged, something inexplicable draws you in and you stay. That’s what happened one Sunday morning in 2018 when Emily Sage and Sara Colèe crossed paths
The two had a brief conversation, discussing their serendipitous shirts — Colèe’s saying “Empire Strikes Back” and Sage’s “Metaphors be with you.” There was an electricity between them, an unstated connection, and the two knew there was something more to it than a cordial Southern smile. “At this point, I thought, ‘I can either lean in or walk away,’” Colèe said. She chose to lean in. They both did. From there, the two quickly became partners in launching an intimate concert series called CLT Loft
Sessions, which spotlights local musicians and gives Charlotte music fans an up-close-and-personal look at local acts. The next show will take place on August 17 at Not Just Coffee’s newest location on Jay Street. Colèe and Sage fell deeply into a platonic love that night and became certain their paths had crossed for a reason. They later ended up at the same Super Bowl party, where Colèe chatted Sage up about tacos. “It was my go-to new-person conversation,” Colèe said. Both women had just moved to Charlotte, and reluctantly. Colèe had moved from Montreal, Canada, where she’d started her own graphic design business in what seemed to be the perfect scenario in a beautiful and artistic city, filled with diversity and opportunity. But it was “Game of Thrones northof-the-wall cold” and not the most opportunistic location for a startup. So she headed south.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSH ANDERSON
“I figured [Charlotte] would just be a staging point for my next adventure,” said Colèe, who had lived in San Francisco, California; Grants Pass, Oregon; and Sydney, Australia, before Montreal. “I just didn’t think I’d plant my roots here.” Almost simultaneously, Sage was going through a similar experience in Nashville, where she was attending Belmont University, studying songwriting. “I was studying simply to learn about it, not to become an artist,” Sage said. Nashville was more cutthroat than Sage had anticipated, and after a short time she realized she did not align with that world. The industry was unhealthily competitive. Sage was a barista during the day and recorded a demo by night. She found herself engrossed in work from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day. She worked those hours for weeks that turned
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Greg Cox during a Session.
into months, eventually feeling so burnt out that she swore off music. She needed a change. In November 2017, Sage moved to Charlotte. During her time at Belmont, Sage’s parents had moved to Charlotte after having lived in her hometown of Portugal for almost two decades. Sage decided that being near family and away from music was where she belonged. For a few short months, that was all Sage needed. She knew that her love for music was deeply embedded within her, but she wasn’t quite ready to step back into it. “I’d always loved music but I needed to decide internally that this was what I wanted,” she said. Like Colèe, she viewed Charlotte as a pit stop. She planned to save up and move somewhere with a beach. But she couldn’t find a job and she wasn’t making friends. Then, suddenly, something happened. Sage felt an overwhelming, almost spiritual urge to invest in this city using the gifts she was given. She realized she didn’t need to swear off music altogether, but instead to go about it in an unconventional way. After months without engaging in singing at all, Sage began yearning for an outlet. A friend who owned a local production company set Sage up with space at Atherton Lofts to play a small show for a handful of friends. Colèe was among them. After the taco conversation, the pair began spending more time together. They would hang out as transplants in the city, piecing together their past lives and deciding between themselves how to move forward creatively in a new, expanding area.
“It was March [2018] and we were sitting over dinner and Emily said, ‘Hey, I’m playing some music at a friend’s loft and you should come,’ and so I went. “Emily just has this way about her. The way she carried herself with grace. She was uncommon, quiet, an observer. She had a delicate nature, was incredibly strong and it was beautiful to watch. I decided ‘I want to help her, whatever that looks like,’” Colèe said. By the end of that April, Sage had brought Colèe on to manage her new concept, which would eventually manifest as a local concert series called CLT Loft Sessions. The two complemented each other as partners in the new venture. “Sara can walk up to someone and within 10 seconds find something in common with them. With her it was different. It wasn’t transactional but was genuine,” Sage says. “She had a lot of strong qualities, we could work well with one another and contrast one another.” The more they got to know one another, their dreams and the city, the more they realized that what they were looking for in terms of creativity and music didn’t yet exist. Despite the more traditional realms of performance, Sage stayed true to her instinct of unconventionality, knowing that she had something alternative to offer — to authentically invite in diverse genres, to find that commonality in music the way Colèe does in conversation. “Charlotte [has had] an incredible transformation, but the growth of culture hasn’t quite caught up,” Colèe said. “Everyone bitches about it but it’s the perfect recipe for lightning to strike. It didn’t exist
so we had to do it ourselves.” Loft Sessions began as a three-part series in July 2018. Sage says she booked three shows in a row so she couldn’t back out of the plan. The pair showcased local musicians and brought local music supporters together in an intimate setting. The vibe was electric, and the women knew they had to do more. They began seeking other ways to support the Charlotte music scene, repeatedly asking themselves what it would take for people to recognize Charlotte as a music city. With once-beloved venues closing and artists overlooking the Queen City on tours, something seemed amiss. They began to brainstorm ways to structure shows that supported Charlotte musicians, asking themselves, “What do people need and want?” From their own experiences, a recurrent theme was intimacy — the intentionality found in smaller settings. Sage and Colèe both recounted intense feelings of exclusion while growing up, which inspired them to prioritize inclusivity and make sure everyone who walked in the door felt valued. Sage and a few friends hand-pick each musician to perform at Loft Sessions. Seating includes rows of benches and chairs with a community-table feel. Blankets and pillows are strewn around the floor at the feet of the musicians. A pre-show announcement is made, reminding viewers to respect the artistry by staying quiet and putting their phones away. The walls are lined with local art, as those in attendance nod their head — whether vibing to the rhythm of the tracks or in understanding of the performers’ narrative interludes, as they share their own stories between songs. Each show has the illusion of drawing listeners closer and closer to the stage as musicians allow patrons in through their lyrics and authenticity. Local musicians like soul pianist Curt Keyz and rapper/producer Yung Citizen might have distinctly different sounds, yet during an April Loft Sessions show, their music was stitched together by a common thread of self-awareness. The genres may change, but the commitment to alternative ways to engage the music community remains. There’s a camaraderie between the musicians, the organizers and the audience. Sage, who has also returned to her own musical roots, is often pulled on stage by musicians to accompany them, while the audience is known to break out into a Shakespearean chorus to sing refrains. Everyone has a place, everyone is included. And so, people keep coming back, shows keep selling out and the concept keeps evolving.
Co-founder Emily Sage takes the stage. CLT LOFT SESSIONS Aug. 17, 7-10 p.m.; $17; Not Just Coffee, 1026 Jay Street; tinyurl.com/CLTLoftSessions
As time goes on, sustainability comes into question. In the beginning, the two say this was not a part of the conversation, but they keep circling back to it as things progress. It’s important for them financially support the artists, oftentimes forgoing any profit themselves. They believe their energy is best spent building relationships rather than money. Sage points out that, after doing the math following the last Loft Sessions, she figured that she and Colèe made about $2 per hour. “People love to say we have our shit together and are living the dream,” Colèe said with a smile that implied she knows otherwise. This is fine with the pair, for now. They both have careers outside of this movement, though it takes up a large portion of their time and energy. They both know that the non-committal idea that began with a simple three-part series will need more energy to propel them forward as they move toward Loft Sessions’ one-year anniversary in July. For now, the two spend their time deciding what’s working, what’s not and where they want to go from here. “We have a continuous conversation about what success is,” Colèe said. “We find ourselves thinking, ‘How do we keep up, grow it, scale it?’ and then say ‘Wait. Do we even want to?’ It was designed to be intimate. Each larger step is a step away from that mission. We want to remain a community for artistry.” INFO@QCNERVE.COM
SOUNDWAVE JULY 3
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Scowl Brow, Green Fiend, Poontanglers & Paperback (Neighborhood Theatre) Josh Daniels, Jeremy Shaw (Smokey Joe’s) Open Mic with Lisa De Novo (Pour Taproom) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Open Mic with Leebo (Comet Grill) Rayland Baxter (USNWC) Brett Greer w/ Kevin Marshal (Tommy’s Pub) DJ/ELECTRONIC
[ORBIT] 1 year Anniversary Party: That Guy Smitty, Steve Howerton, Shaanti (Bassment) The Wizard’s Roadshow (Siggy’s Bar & Tapas) ROOTS/BLUES/INTERNATIONAL
Old School Latin Boogie Dance Party (Petra’s)
JULY 4
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Hungry Girl, Reese McHenry, The Mike Strauss Band, Its Snakes (Snug Harbor) Grendel, Striplicker, Esoterik Glass Apple Bonzai (The Milestone) Open Mic Night (Tommy’s Pub) Julian Calendar, Post Hunk, Zodiac Lovers (Petra’s) Shana Blake & Friends (Smokey Joe’s)
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COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Fourth of July Celebration: North Mississippi Allstars (USNWC) Hashbrown Belly Boys Reunion, Jason Moss & The Hosses, Dirty Rotten Snake In The Grass, Ponch Bueller & The Loaded Potatoes, Rolland J. Cole, Dixie Dave Allen, Kayla Charlene (Tommy’s Pub) DJ/ELECTRONIC
Le Bang (Snug Harbor) The Wizard’s Roadshow (Hartland’s Bar & Grill) Jump Off (Crown Station)
JULY 5
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Modern Primitives Video Release, Psyche Ops, Turbo Blood (Snug Harbor) Gov’t Mule, The Record Company (Fillmore)
Jason Bieler of Saigon Kick (Evening Muse) Aarodynamics, Audacity Brass Band (Evening Muse) Zander (Booth Playhouse) Axnt, Sweat Transfer, Champagne Hercules, Koosh (Petra’s) Reason Define, Bullmoose, The Digital Drug, AmericanTheory (The Milestone) Square Hammer: Ghost Tribute, The Maension (Amos’ Southend) Little Tybee (USNWC) Aarodynamics (Hattie’s) Independence Rocks: Michael Rotundo, New Local (Tin Roof) Drivin N Cryin (Free Range Brewing) Vortex Of Old Men, Black Power Mixtape (Tommy’s Pub) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill) The HC Oakes Band (Primal Brewery)
Follow our Spotify Playlist PREVIEW YOUR LOCAL CHARLOTTE SOUNDWAVE ARTISTS HERE
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DJ/ELECTRONIC
Blow Your Head (Snug Harbor) Twinvasion (Crown Station) The Wizard’s Roadshow (The Fat Parrots Bar & Grill) Open Decks (Skylark Social Club)
JULY 6
Pockets (Primal Brewery) Graveyard Boulevard (Tommy’s Pub)
The Clarks, Sunset Cassette (Visulite) Live Band Karaoke: Mighty Than Me (Crown Station) Black Powder, Swamp Hag, Emotion in General, Preppen Barium (The Milestone) Dot.s, Lowertown (Evening Muse) Fabuloso - A Comunidad Colectiva Awareness Party: Chócala, Quisol, Sister Mantos (Snug Harbor) Future Friend EP Release, Justin Moyle, The Primers (Evening Muse) Dirty Grass Players, Band of Tomorrow (USNWC) James LePrettre, HONNA (Hattie’s) Land of the Free Celebration: Gina Taree, Ziggy
Rave Charles (Crown Station) #LocalOnly Saturday with DJ Teddy & Mike Boyer (The Milestone) Good As It Gets Mix CD Release Party (Evening Muse) Off the Wall (Petra’s)
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
DJ/ELECTRONIC
JAZZ/CLASSICAL/ INSTRUMENTAL
Jazzology (Comet Grill)
JULY 7
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
The Rocketz (The Milestone) 2BABA (Booth Playhouse) Omari & the Hellhounds (Comet Grill) Metal Church Sunday Service (The Milestone)
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Blackberry Smoke, Shovels & Rope (PNC Music Pavilion) Set It Off, Emarosa (Amos’ Southend) RAP/HIP-HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B
Bone Snugs-N-Harmony (Snug Harbor) ROOTS/BLUES/INTERNATIONAL
Open Bluegrass w/Greg M Clarke & Friends (Tommy’s Pub) JAZZ/CLASSICAL/ INSTRUMENTAL
Bill Hanna’s Jazz Session (Petra’s) DJ/ELECTRONIC
Hazy Sunday (Petra’s) Reflexions: Dark Wave & New Wave Dance (Tommy’s Pub)
JULY 8
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Find Your Muse Open Mic: Eli Lev (Evening
SOUNDWAVE Muse) Open Mic with Lisa De Novo (Legion Brewing) BLA/ALT Summer Residency – Night 2: Foxture, Lofidels, Black Haus (Petra’s) Cito Jamorah & Friends (Smokey Joe’s)
Wiz Khalifa, French Montana, Playboi Carti, Moneybagg Yo, Chevy Woods, DJ Drama (PNC Music Pavilion)
Jazz Jam (Crown Station) Knocturnal (Snug Harbor)
The Emotron, Treasure Mammal, AlhhlA, Swansgate, Sunday Boxing (The Milestone) Natural Wonder: Stevie Wonder, The Shakedown: Hall & Oates Tribute (Fillmore) Open Mic Night w/Anna Bonilla (Tommy’s Pub) Added Color, Swamp 78, Last Second Legacy (Skylark Social Club) The Get Right Band (Evening Muse) Gigi Dover & Big Love, Conner Muir (Petra’s) Shana Blake and Friends (Smokey Joe’s Café) Matt Bennett (Tin Roof)
RAP/HIP-HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B
COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Country Music Monday (Hattie’s Tap & Tavern)
JULY 9
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Party Nails, PRXZM, Rodes Rollins (Neighborhood Theatre) New Kids On The Block, Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Naughty by Nature (Spectrum Center) The Everafter, VISTA, Come Clean (Skylark Social Club) Smokin’ Js Open Jam (Smokey Joe’s) Second Tuesday Songwriters (Tommy’s Pub) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Red Rockin’ Chair (Comet Grill)
RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B
Soulful Tuesdays (Crown Station) DJ/ELECTRONIC
No Future: DJ Fat Keith Richards, Premium Sound System (Snug Harbor)
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ROCK/PUNK/METAL
The Spins, Mr. Genius and the Robot Inventors, My Blue Hope (The Milestone) Lisa De Novo, Chelsea Locklear, Deirdre Kroener (Visulite) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Open Mic with Leebo (Comet Grill) Josh Daniels, Jeremy Shaw (Smokey Joe’s) John Baumann, Michael McArthur (Evening Muse) DJ/ELECTRONIC
The Wizard’s Roadshow (Siggy’s Bar & Tapas) Shindig! A 50s / 60s Dance Party! (Petra’s) RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B
JULY 11
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
DJ/ELECTRONIC
Le Bang (Snug Harbor) The Wizard’s Roadshow (Hartland’s Bar & Grill) Jump Off (Crown Station) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Wood Brothers (Knight Theater) Sam Burchfield (USNWC) Sundance Head, Ziggy Pockets (Tin Roof) Delta Moon (Free Range Brewing)
JULY 12
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Living In My Shadow, Origin of Disease, Twinvasion, Chaos Ensues, October (The Milestone) Panteon Rococo (Neighborhood Theatre) Yes God! Robyn O’Ladies, Charlotte Douglas (Visulite) The Connells (Fillmore) Train, Goo Goo Dolls, Allen Stone (PNC Music Pavilion) Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons (Ovens Auditorium) Quiet Hollers, Rare Creatures (Evening Muse) Open Mic (McGlohon Theater) Nic Pugh Album Release, Gardeners, LeAnna
SOUNDWAVE Muse) Wood & Wire (USNWC) Lenny Federal Band (Comet Grill)
VOICE OVER
DJ/ELECTRONIC
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Pg. 20 July 3 - July 16, 2019 - QCNERVE.COM
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The Wizard’s Roadshow (The Fat Parrots Bar & Grill) I Love The 2000s: DJ Fannie Mae (Underground)
COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Erin Enderlin, Justin Clyde Williams (Evening
MIX SOUND DESIGN
RAP/HIP HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B
MUSIC
Player Made: An Ode To Southern Rap of All Eras (Snug Harbor)
WHISKEY
JULY 13
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Night Glitter (Neighborhood Theatre) Yes God!, Robyn O’Ladies, Charlotte Douglas (Visulite) Road To Grungefest: Carolinacation, Siamese Dream, Big Empty (Underground) Young the Giant, Fitz and the Tantrums, COIN (CMCU Aphitheatre) The Boron Heist (Repo Record) Van Hunt (Evening Muse) Sounds Like Summer: Quadrant, Middleasia, Drown The Mob, LayLo, Black Powder (Amos’ Southend) The Hawkeyes, Captain Ivory (Hattie’s) Blue Monday (Tin Roof) Warboys U.S., Van Huskins, Grave Rollers (Tommy’s Pub) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
GROUNDCREWSTUDIOS.COM
Omari & the Hellhounds (Comet Grill) Hopeless Otis, Something Went Wrong, Morganton (Tommy’s Pub) RAP/HIP-HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B
Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ray Fulcher (PNC Music Pavilion) C2 & The Brothers Reed (USNWC)
Bone Snugs-N-Harmony (Snug Harbor)
Devin the Dude (Crown Station) Kerry Blu and members of Menastree, Proda (Evening Muse)
JAZZ/CLASSICAL/ INSTRUMENTAL
RAP/HIP-HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B
Eden, Dylan Gilbert (Petra’s) Dragged by the Neck CD Release Party, Skinkage, Annabel Lee, Winter’s Gate (Amos’ Southend) Natty Boh (Hattie’s) Cardfall (Tin Roof) Brute Beat (Tommy’s Pub)
CASTING
DJ/ELECTRONIC
#LocalOnly Saturday with DJ Teddy & Mike Boyer (The Milestone)
JULY 14
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Aterciopelados (Underground)
ROOTS/BLUES/INTERNATIONAL
Open Mic with Lisa De Novo (Legion Brewing) Cito Jamorah and Friends (Smokey Joe’s) RAP/HIP-HOP/SOUL/FUNK/R&B
Jazz Jam (Crown Station) Knocturnal (Snug Harbor)
COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Open Bluegrass w/ Greg M Clarke & Friends (Tommy’s Pub)
Country Music Monday (Hattie’s Tap & Tavern)
Bill Hannah’s Jazz Session (Petra’s)
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
JULY 15
ROCK/PUNK/METAL
Floor Space, Newgrounds Death Rugby, Dead Casual, Izar Estelle, Marley Erin (Skylark Social Club) Find Your Muse Open Mic: Jesse Harman (Evening Muse)
JULY 16
Harvey Waters, Julian Calendar, Minthill (Snug Harbor) Varia, Watersdeep (Skylark Social Club) Smokin’ Js Open Jam (Smokey Joe’s) COUNTRY/FOLK/AMERICANA
Red Rockin’ Chair (Comet Grill) Uptown Unplugged: Owen Luke (Tin Roof)
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FARM TO TABLE TO FARM
Jamie Lynch completes the cycle with new homestead
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I
BY COURTNEY MIHOCIK
T’S NOT A sentence everyone can relate to. As Chef Jamie Lynch stood in the chicken coop on the six acres of Gaston County land where he recently opened his new farm, he had to yell over the squawking fowl, “The chickens are mad at me today.” Lynch was hooking up the ends of a tarp to drape below the three rafters that the chickens roost on in order to catch their droppings and eventually add them to the compost pile. Afterwards, he petted and shushed a nesting chicken despite its soft audible protests. We didn’t know why the chickens were upset, maybe because Harlem the blue heeler cattle dog kept walking into the coop and disturbing them while they were trying to lay eggs. I was on Chef Jamie’s Farm, a modest plot of land tucked away near the state border that Lynch and his girlfriend, business partner and farm manager, Corey McGovern, moved to in October 2018. Over the past nine months, they’ve worked tirelessly to cultivate the land and harvest food to be used at his restaurant 5Church, where he once served as executive chef but now supplies with food at its Charlotte and Charleston locations. Each week, Chef Jamie’s Farm delivers about 100 pounds of produce to each location. The cucumbers and squash alone account for about 30 pounds of that due to the plant’s high productivity. As we walked the six acres, Lynch and McGovern showed me the fruits of their labor. From the small seedlings that start out in a shed under artificial lights to the direct-seeded
plants that flourish in one of four plots they carved out, everything is a learning experience and a crash course in how to farm food for the award-winning chef who’s now trying his hand at growing the food rather than cooking it. “This is all experimenting,” Lynch said as we meandered through the rows of plants on a hot Monday morning. Some vegetables were harvested a few days prior to my arrival and would be ready to be harvested again in a few more days. “We don’t know what we’re doing. If I didn’t have the restaurants, this dream wouldn’t be a reality. I’d have all this stuff, and I don’t have time to go to the market every week. I don’t have those kind of connections.” So far, the pair have noticed that plants they start in the shed under controlled lighting then transplant into the plots don’t do as well as plants they’ve seeded directly into the soil. It’s their first season, and they’re still learning. At least once a week, they spend half a day on a friend’s farm in Waxhaw, learning the ins and outs of their crops and how to properly manage the harvests. “Because we’re in the season together, we’re growing a lot of the same crops and he’s a little bit ahead of us, so everything that we’re doing, we can apply it in real-time here, and it’s saved us on so many things,” Lynch said. “We would’ve fallen on our faces had we not apprenticed under him,” McGovern added. Among the three varieties of potatoes, baby arugula, three heirloom tomato varieties, kabocha squash, butternut squash, two types of green beans, cabbage and a slew of other produce, the farm sports rows of flowers
Heirloom tomatoes
supported by a “just-for-fun” garden of zinnia, amaranthus, lavender, lemongrass and verbena. These plants attract bees and other pollinators to their field from the neighboring land of clovers to help the ecology of their farm. Lynch and McGovern treat their land with respect. The 13 hens and two roosters are freerange, roaming about the property under the watchful eye of Harlem, who protects them from hawks and nearby foxes. The soil is fed with compost made from chicken waste and compostable food scraps from 5Church, while the land itself is cross-cropped and rested when needed. On a small scale, it’s worked for
PHOTOS BY COURTNEY MIHOCIK
the chef and his farm manager to carefully plan crops and use organic materials to boost plant life and preserve the productivity of the land. “[Some farmers] are not doing some of these practices that we are like cover cropping, and we’re resting plots and we’re not growing constantly,” Lynch explained. “We’re adding compost instead of chemicals to fertilize, which is good for the soil.” In the bigger picture, practices like theirs could ease the strain that commercial food production has on fertile land and break the reliance on chemicals and pesticides in growing food.
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“I think our commercial food system is in trouble. We are decimating the Midwest with monocropping and chemical fertilizing to grow all these mass quantities of food to feed the ever-growing population,” Lynch said. “The problem is that the people that are growing it aren’t taking care of the soil and the land that they’re doing it on and they’re killing it, which means they need more chemicals to grow because they don’t have the rich soil, because they’re depleting it.” For the winter, Lynch and McGovern have dedicated the most recently tilled plot to be covered and rested for the season. Currently, it’s been planted with field peas as a cover crop to manage soil erosion, water quality and microorganism biodiversity, but once the crops mature the plot will be mowed, tilled, then covered with a tarp to prevent weeds from growing. Come the first sign of spring, they’ll plant seasonal vegetables and fruits. Another plot will be dedicated to plants that grow over the colder months: barley, cabbage, cauliflower and other sturdy crops. If Chef Jamie wasn’t working his own land, he would probably be back in the kitchen, slightly directionless and bored, he said. “For me, this is an evolution of my career. I got to the point where I was uninspired, because I’m the leader, always teaching,” he said. “Being on the farm, we’re learning everyday; we’re learning about nature, we’re learning about agriculture, we’re learning about these microorganisms in the soil that make all this happen.” That isn’t to say that he’s no longer directly involved with 5Church. Lynch still spends five days a week in his restaurants, mentoring the staff and working on menu development. Lynch started as a dishwasher in Marblehead, Massachusetts, when he was 15. After roaming about the country for a few years, his professional career officially started in San Francisco before moving to New York City to study under top-level chefs. “That’s where I cut my teeth. I worked for some hotshots [in New York City],” he said with a laugh. Working with the plants has also changed his approach in the kitchen. It’s no longer about
Chef Jamie tending to cabagges on his farm.
“IF I DIDN’T HAVE THE RESTAURANTS, THIS DREAM WOULDN’T BE A REALITY.” Jamie Lynch, co-founder, Chef Jamie’s Farm
churning out the coolest dishes with obscure ingredients. He’s scaled back the pomp and circumstance to highlight honest ingredients. “My cooking style has changed a lot since being out here,” Lynch explained as he leaned down to pull up carrots. “It’s become a lot less fluff, fancy techniques and stuff like that and more relying on the purity of the ingredients and showing ways to showcase them instead of fancy them up. My career was kind of built on that, like, ‘How do you make the coolest tasting whatever?’” The crowd-favorite tomato salad features big, juicy heirloom tomatoes, now straight from Chef Jamie’s Farm while the chicken eggs are used for brunch specialty dishes like the brunch steak burger and the croque madame. Even though the chickens produce about 12 dozen eggs a week, the restaurant supplements
their weekly supply with about 360 eggs from Harmony Ridge Farms near Winston-Salem. Even some of his flowers, like the amaranthus, are put to use for garnishing dishes, sprucing up drinks and tying together flower arrangements for Sophia’s Lounge, located in the Ivey Hotel next to 5Church. McGovern puts her background in leatherworking and tattooing to use vase arrangements for each table in the cocktail bar and social lounge. The work on their farm is far from over. Even after setting up four plots, planting a garden, herding chickens, starting and planting seedlings, plumbing a well and harvesting food every week, the pair have a lot of hours of homesteading ahead of them. Future plans include installing a greenhouse, establishing a colony of bees, setting up a more advanced irrigation system,
getting a portable chicken coop to help with fertilization and possibly getting a John Deere tractor to turn compost. The latter could take some load off of Lynch’s shoulders when he steps up to the compost pile with a pitchfork to manually turn the giant mound of decomposing food and waste while it breaks down. But from compost pile to soil to harvest to kitchen to table, Lynch has his hand in every step, creating a cycle with virtually no waste. “The idea is that we have a complete food system. Between the restaurant and the farm, we’re growing here, using it at the restaurant, the waste is coming back to the farm, turning into compost that’s feeding the soil,” Lynch said. “There’s nobody else doing that, not in Charlotte.” It’s honest work for honest food. CMIHOCIK@QCNERVE.COM
DILWORTH BAKERSFIELD
Monday: $3 Jack Daniels Tuesday: $3 Tres Generaciones, $10 Don Julio 1942 Wednesday: $3 Bulleit Bourbon Thursday: $3 Espolon Friday: $3 George Dickel No. 8 Saturday: $3 Lunazul Sunday: $3 Larceny Bourbon 300EAST
Monday: 1/2 off wines by the glass Tuesday: 1/2 off beer cans and glasses of Italian reds Thursday: $3.50 local drafts, $8.50 Matilda Wong cocktails Sunday: 1/2 off wine bottles, $5 mimosas & bloody marys, $6 Bellinis BAD DADDY’S BURGER BAR
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Monday: 20-oz. draft for 16-oz. price Tuesday: $5 specialty cocktails Wednesday: $3.50 local drafts Saturday-Sunday: $5 mimosas & bloody marys
DILWORTH NEIGHBORHOOD GRILLE
Monday: $4 Crown & Down Tuesday: $4 drafts, $12 pitchers, $5 flights of North Carolina drafts Wednesday: 1/2 off wine bottles and martinis Thursday: $12 domestic buckets, $18 import buckets Friday: $3 craft drafts, $5 flavored vodka Saturday: $5 mason jar cocktails Sunday: $4 bloody marys SUMMIT ROOM
Tuesday: $4 drafts Wednesday: 1/2 off glasses of wine Thursday: $7 Summit cocktails
SOUTH END COMMON MARKET SOUTH END
Monday: 1/2 off select pints Tuesday: Free beer tasting 5-7 p.m. Wednesday: $2 off select pints, wine tasting 5-7 p.m.
UPTOWN
BIG BEN PUB
Monday: $6 beer cocktails, $2 off vodka Tuesday: $8 mules, 1/2 off gin Wednesday: $6 you-call-it, 1/2 off wine bottles Thursday: $4 wells, 1/2 off specialty cocktails Friday: $5.50 Guinness and Crispin, $6 vodka Red Bull Saturday-Sunday: $4 bloody marys and mimosas, $15 mimosa carafes
THE LOCAL
MAC’S SPEED SHOP
Monday: $3 pints, $5 Tito’s Tuesday: 1/2 price wine, $3 mystery draft Wednesday: $4 tall boys, $5 Lunazul Blanco Thursday: $3 mystery cans and bottles, $4 Jim Beam Friday: $1 off Mother Earth beers Saturday: $1 off North Carolina pints Sunday: $4 mimosas & bloody marys GIN MILL
Monday: $5 Tito’s and New Amsterdam Tuesday: 1/2 price wine Wednesday: $4 draft beer Thursday: $2.50 PBR, $5 Jack Daniels and Tito’s
Monday: $7 Casamigos, $2 Natty Boh and Miller High Life, $5 Jager Tuesday: $3 Modelo, $5 house margaritas, $5 Don Julio Wednesday: $5 Crown & Down, $3 Southern Tier Thursday: $5 Captain Morgan, $7 craft mules, $16 Bud Light buckets Friday: $3 Jell-O shots, $4 drafts, $5 wells Saturday: $3 PBR, $5 Jager Sunday: $7 loaded mimosa, $7 Grey Goose bloody mary, $16 Bud Light buckets THE DAILY TAVERN
Wednesday: $5 whiskey Thursday: $4 pint night Sunday: $4 Miller Lite, $6 bloody marys DANDELION MARKET
Monday: $3 select drafts Tuesday: $15 select bottles of wines Saturday-Sunday: Bloody mary bar
I REMEMBER MY FIRST TIME, DO YOU?
ROXBURY
Friday: $5 flavored vodka drinks, $5 fire shots, $3 bottles Saturday: $5 fire shots, $4 ZIMA, $3 bottles WORLD OF BEER
Monday: $2 off North Carolina drafts and spirits Tuesday: 25 percent off bottles and cans, $5 mules Wednesday: 1/2-priced wine, wheats and sangrias Thursday: $4 old school, $4 well, $4 signature shots Friday-Saturday: $3 shot of the week Sunday: $2 mimosas, $3 bloody marys & beermosas PROHIBITION
Tuesday: 1/2 off everything Wednesday: $3 drafts Thursday: $2 PBR, $4.50 wells, $6 vodka Red Bull Friday-Saturday: $4 call-its
NODA CABO FISH TACO
Monday: $5 El Cheapo margarita Tuesday: $3.50 Tecate and Tecate Light, $5 Altos silver tequila Wednesday: $7 Absolut Lime Moscow mule Thursday: $1 off neighborhood beers on draft Friday-Saturday: $8 margarita special Sunday: $5 mimosas, $6 Absolut Peppar bloody mary, $7 Absolut Lime Moscow mule JACKBEAGLE’S
Monday: $5 Cuervo margaritas Tuesday: $3 drafts, $5 vodka Red Bull Wednesday: $1 off whiskey Thursday: $6 Deep Eddy’s vodka Red Bull Friday: $5 Fun-Dip shots, $5 Crown Black Saturday: $5 Gummy Bear shots, $5 big mimosa, $6.50 double bloody mary Sunday: $5 big mimosa, $6.50 double bloody mary SANCTUARY PUB
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Monday: $7 Bulleit and Bulleit Rye, $3 Yuengling and PBR APA
Tuesday: $6 Tuaca, $6 Tullamore Dew Wednesday: $3 Birdsong beers, $5 Sauza, Thursday: $2 Bartender Bottles, $6 Crown Royal Sunday: $3 Birdsong, $3 Tall or Call NODA 101
Monday: $4 Ketel One Lemon Drop, $4 well liquor, $5 Camerena Tuesday: $6 seasonal cocktails, $6 Jameson, $4 Grape Gatorade Wednesday: $5 Green Tea Shot, $6 Blue Balls Thursday: $5 Jagermeister, $6 vodka Redbull, $6 Oxley Gin Cocktail Friday: $5 Fireball, $6 vodka Red Bull, $6 Jameson Saturday: $5 Fireball, $6 vodka Red Bull Sunday: $5 Deep Eddy Flavors, $1 off tequila, $5 White Gummy Bear shots BILLY JACK’S SHACK
Monday: $1 off moonshine, $3 domestics Tuesday: $1 off all drafts, $7 Jameson Wednesday: $1 off bottles and cans Thursday: $4.50 wells Friday: $5 Fireball, $1 off local bottles and cans
Saturday: $4 mimosas $5 Brunch Punch, Sunday: $4 mimosas, $5 Brunch Punch, $5 Fireball, $10 champagne bottles
PLAZA MIDWOOD HATTIE’S TAP & TAVERN
Monday: $6 Pabst & Paddy’s Tuesday: $5 Fireball Wednesday: $3 mystery craft beers Thursday: $6 margaritas Friday-Saturday: $5 well drinks Sunday: $10 domestic buckets INTERMEZZO
Monday: $4 Makers Mark, $2 domestic bottles Tuesday: $4 margaritas, $7 Tito’s mules, $3 Blanche de Bruxelles, $3 OMB Copper Wednesday: 1/2 price wine bottles, $2 off bourbon of the week Thursday: $6.50 Ketel One Botanical Series, $4 Stoli Friday: $4 20-oz. Birdsong LazyBird Brown Ale and Birdsong Jalapeño Ale Saturday: 1/2 price martinis Sunday: $3 drafts
Do you want your bar or restaurant featured in The Buzz? Contact Ryan Pitkin rpitkin@qcnerve.com
THE BEAR AWAKENS
A Russian doll that went too far
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BY JUSTIN ZALEWSKI
WHO DOESN’T LOVE the Fourth of July? It happens to be my favorite holiday. Good ol’ U.S.A.’s Independence Day! Whichever side of the political spectrum you land on, or your current thoughts on the state of our country, it’s hard to argue that we are pretty damn lucky to live in the land of the free. In celebrating our telling England to kick rocks, America has become quite cocky. Years of being a world power have given citizens of this great country a bit of big head. Over the years this has affected me in the work place to certain degree. The land of the free has over time become the land of excess. You want a burger and fries? Go ahead and super size that bad boy. You bought a new car? Throw some shiny rims on that bitch and show out. Why would anyone want an average old Oreo when you can get them Double Stuf? Don’t just drink a beer, make it a triple IPA Hazy Apricot with Centennial hops with an ABV of 15.8%. All that being said, “Let’s go out for the night and have some drinks,” can all too often be translated as, “Let’s chug six Red Bull vodkas, take 12 shots of Jager, and wash it all down with six beers.” Somewhere along the lines this country has lost its respect for alcohol. In my late 20s, when I was traveling in Europe, I knew nothing else but to drink until I blacked out, or as I like to call it, time traveled. I noticed that my behavior was frowned upon, but had come to be expected from Americans. We are the loudest and, in most cases, the drunkest slobbering monsters in a bar. Drinking leads to a lot of things, good and bad. In my years tending bar I have introduced people that have gotten married — though not that night. I have also witnessed behavior that has led directly to divorces. I’ve helped people celebrate the greatest achievements of their lives, and poured glasses to mourn the loss of a loved one. I’ve watched grown
men cry over truly meaningful milestones and over what strangers did on a field with a ball. Bars are a magical place where just about anything can happen, and bartenders are the wizards that man the ship and guide you on your journey of drunken debauchery. One of alcohol’s more unfortunate effects is that it can make people aggressive and ready to fight. In my younger years working the bar, I will be the first to admit that my eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas when there was a barroom brawl. As a more seasoned bartender, I’ve grown tired of the throwdowns. For example, one night behind the bar, not much later than 11 p.m., my fellow bartender looked at me and said, “Look at this guy.” Preparing myself for the thousands of scenarios I could encounter, I turned around and observed the specimen of stupidity. I turned around and cast my eyes upon a man that looked like a Vladimir Putin bobblehead doll, with eyes swimming around his head like fish in a bowl. This guy was going to be a problem. I asked the other bartenders what his name was and where his tab was at. Expecting to see the man had been overserved, his tab included only two beers and a shot of Jack Daniels. I told the rest of the bartenders to steer clear of Putin, as he was visibly no longer fit to have a drink of anything other than water. After thirty seconds of observation, Putin was locking eyes with complete strangers and sticking his tongue out as if he were a snake tasting the air for his next meal. This behavior is not rare, I just have never seen it done so well; he was transforming into a snake before my eyes. I needed to take action before he slithered up to someone and licked them, or tried some other mating ritual only seen in the wild. As I approached Putin, his tongue was still flicking out every 10 seconds and his eyeballs were rolling upside down, doing the back stroke. I explained to Putin that he was cut off, only to be received as a missionary explaining religion to a pagan in an uncontacted tribe. So I handed him some holy water in a bottle in hopes he would be obliged to leave, as I had asked nicely. He babbled to me in a language I would only be able to understand if I were also 10 shots deep. I leaned in closer, and what happened next was unexpected — although it shouldn’t have been. He slammed me right across the face! In that split second, he woke the bear, and when you wake the bear, you have to play with the bear. Use your imagination for what Putin’s fate was. Now folks I love you all, and I make a damn good drinking. Keep on getting drunk. It’s what we do, and living serving you! By no means am I asking you to quit we are damn good at it. But when you’re out celebrating your Fourth of July weekend, just remember: tip your
bartenders and don’t wake the bear.
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RETURNED
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ACROSS
1 Followers of Genghis Khan 8 More ill-tempered 16 Big deli cut 20 Level of authority 21 Called again 22 Like many hoops stars 23 Stadium levels reinforced with metal strips? 25 Falco of the screen 26 “I’m thinking ...” 27 “-- and the Real Girl” (2007 film) 28 George Eliot’s “-- Marner” 29 NEA part 30 BBQ meat bit 32 Dutch South African who’s testifying? 36 Org. on a toothpaste tube 38 Dot-com’s address 40 Ranchers’ ropes 41 Almost a plaintiff? 47 Salon colorer 48 Low-quality 51 Love affairs 52 “No noise!” 53 Sooner than 55 Cut-rate, in adspeak 57 Out of neutral 58 Pupils with artificially curled hair? 62 Fleur-de- -63 -- nitrite (vasodilator) 65 Longoria of TV 66 Examine critically 67 Fencing blades 69 Fruity drink 70 Mixed dogs 71 Continually doing well 74 Boxer Laila 75 Poet Ogden 76 Stars’ place 79 Small expert tennis server sent from heaven? 82 “Pest” in Beverly Cleary books 85 Like the soil around a big tree 86 Boater’s tool
87 Kiss go-with 88 Slate wiper 89 Naval off. 90 Drop anchor 93 Statement when lots of people have gathered somewhere? 96 Petty despot 98 Public radio’s Glass 99 SSNs, say 100 Like supplies for farriers that are sent by boat? 104 Filming area 106 “Us” rivals 110 Book before Nahum 111 Sailor’s mop 113 Like many monks, by vow 116 Toiling hard 117 Having reached a lower limit set by boxer Max? 121 Henchman in “Peter Pan” 122 And 123 Fettuccine -124 That lady’s 125 Bald 126 Curly-haired dogs
44 “-- Sera, Sera” 45 Annual awards for athletes 46 “Superman” star Christopher 48 Skeletal 49 1998 bug-themed film 50 Two pills, say 54 Vitamin std. 56 Toon units 59 News outlets 60 Pericles’ T’s 61 Take out of the eye of a needle 64 Liquefy 67 Start for “while” 68 Person of encyclopedic learning 69 Open-eyed 70 “The Simpsons” wife 71 Grimm nasty 72 12:00 p.m. 73 Fusses 74 Styled after 75 Of synapses and the like 76 Just all right 77 Recognized 78 Lawn site 80 Yeshiva topic
DOWN
1 Electric car company 2 One- -- (short play) 3 Scarlett’s Butler 4 Overflows 5 German for “everyone” 6 Steals from 7 Curl the lip toward 8 Old PC screen type 9 Spool of film 10 Designed to be appended 11 Drag racer’s fuel 12 Old German ruler 13 -- de la Cite 14 Always, in poems 15 Aves. 16 Ale mugs 17 Soup spoon 18 Phony name 19 Sanctify 24 Oahu wreath 28 Eyeballed 31 Wheat unit 33 Cabs it, e.g. 34 Direction 35 Ending for Seattle 36 Ambience 37 British statesman Benjamin 39 German coal region 41 Brad, for one 42 Ritzy hotel chain 43 Clothes, informally
SOLUTION ON PAGE 30
81 She sang “Believe” 83 Missile paths 84 Deface 91 Great Plains tribe 92 Surgery ctrs. 94 Having the right job credentials 95 Directory for a web page 96 Outpourings 97 More ritzy 100 Break to bits 101 Request in blackjack 102 More aloof 103 Tom of “The Seven Year Itch” 105 Bar code scanner, for short 106 Popular ‘50s Ford 107 Veronica of “Hill Street Blues” 108 Chopin piece 109 Short notes 112 Sheep calls 114 “-- & Stitch” (Disney film) 115 News, briefly 117 Spa reaction 118 Gp. flagging bags 119 Prefix with light 120 Snaky shape
JULY 3 - JULY 9 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Get your facts together and become familiar with them before you have to face up to that interview. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to make that important impression. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) New information might warrant changing your mind about a recently made decision. Never mind the temporary confusion it might cause. Acting on the truth is always preferable. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Creating a loving atmosphere for those you care for could pay off in many ways. Expect to hear some unexpected but very welcome news that can make a big difference in your life.
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CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Stepping away from an old and seemingly insoluble problem might be helpful. Use the time to take a new look at the situation and perhaps work out a new method of dealing with it. LEO (July 23 to August 22) You’re still in a favorable goal-setting mode. However, you might need to be a little more realistic about some of your aims. Best to reach for what is currently doable. The rest will follow. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) A setback is never easy to deal with. But it could be a boon in disguise. Recheck your proposal and strengthen the weak spots. Seek advice from someone who has “been there and done that.” LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Coming up with a new way of handling a tedious job-regulated
JULY 10 - JULY 16 chore could lead to more than just a congratulatory memo once the word reaches the “right people.” ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Don’t be surprised if, Good luck. in spite of your well-made plans, something goes awry. But don’t worry. Your knowledge of the facts SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) What you plus your Arian charm will help you work it out. might call determination, someone else might regard as stubbornness. Look for ways to reach TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A personal relationship a compromise that won’t require a major shift of seems to be demanding more than you feel you’re views on your part. able to give. Best advice: Confront the issue. You could find the situation surprisingly easy to work SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) through. You’re still in a vulnerable mode vis-a-vis “offers” that sound too good to be true. So continue to be GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Resist being pressured skeptical about anything that can’t be backed up into meeting your self-imposed deadline. This is with provable facts. important if you really feel that taking more time to finish a project could save time in the long run. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Thrift is still dominant this week. What you don’t spend CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A vacation choice on what you don’t need will be available for you seems less interesting than when you first made it. to draw on should a possible (albeit temporary) Could it be a matter of the place or the people going money crunch hit. with you? Find out before you consider a change of plans. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Staying close to home early in the week allows for some LEO (July 23 to August 22) Someone might be introspection about your social life. Sort out your overriding your Leonine logic to get you to agree feelings before rejoining your fun-time fellows on to “favors” that you would normally avoid. Take a the weekend. new look at what you’ve been asked to do and see if you’ve been misled. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) It can be a bit daunting as well as exciting to find yourself finally VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Try to keep taking action on a long-delayed move for a change. that emerging “judgmental” aspect in check this It helps to stay with it when others rally to support week. Too many critiques on relatively unimportant you. issues could create a lot of negative bounce-back reactions. BORN THIS WEEK: Your love of home and family provide you with the emotional support you need LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Facing to find success in the outside world. unpleasant facts about an associate isn’t easy. But ignoring them isn’t wise. Ask a trusted (and
neutral) friend to help guide you on what to do and how you might do it. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) A shift in opinion regarding a workplace situation could go a long way in vindicating the stand you’ve taken. But be aware that a satisfactory resolution could still be a long way off. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) It’s not like you to choose the easy way rather than the right way to do things. So, follow your instincts and feel assured they will lead you to the right decision. Good luck. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) Hold off on making a personal commitment until you find out what it really entails and whose interests are actually involved. There could be hidden facts you need to know. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A new friend offers an unexpected opportunity that could lead to a career change. Check it out carefully and consider getting an assessment from someone familiar with this field. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A surprising discovery leads to mixed reactions from those involved in the “revelation.” But as you come to appreciate the truth, you’ll be able to come to terms with your feelings. BORN THIS WEEK: Your love of travel helps you appreciate the wonders of the world. You would find a satisfying career in any travel-related industry. 2019 KING FEATURES SYND., INC.
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LIBERALATION Prejudicial statements
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BY DAN SAVAGE
I’m a man from a very liberal background. Recently, a girl I started dating — a girl from a similar background — mentioned that she has “a thing for black guys.” She also met my childhood best friend, a man of Korean descent, and commented to me that she found him handsome despite not typically being attracted to Asian guys. The position that I’ve always held is that we’re attracted to individuals, not types, and it’s wrong to have expectations of people based on race — especially when it comes to sexualizing/fetishizing people. I think we should date and have sex with whomever we want and not carry prejudiced expectations into our relationships. I am worried she sees black men as stereotypes of athleticism, confidence, and the other complicated constructions we’ve made about the black body, like black men having bigger dicks. I also worry that she might see me as less masculine and less well-endowed because of my race. I eventually asked her about these issues, and we had a tense conversation. I tried to ask if she had ever checked herself for possible prejudice where her sexual desires are concerned, and she shut the conversation down by accusing me of trying to control her. I reassured her that I wasn’t trying to control her, but it is possible I was projecting the insecurity her comments stirred into the conversation. I’m trying to balance two components: my own insecurity and the possibility that she’s holding a legitimately prejudiced opinion that makes me uncomfortable. Any advice? SEEKING TO INTERROGATE NEWISH GIRLFRIEND’S STATEMENTS
It’s a big leap from “I have a thing for black guys” to “white guys aren’t masculine or well-endowed,” STINGS, and you made that leap on your own. So in addition to confronting your new girlfriend about her attitudes and assumptions ... you might want to give some thought to your own? That said, the things your girlfriend has said about black and Asian men are legit problematic. When someone describes their attraction to a certain group, racial or otherwise, as “a thing,” that usually means they see members of that group as things — and in a society that dehumanizes black people, white people can easily come to see black people as objects. As for her comment about your Korean friend: Prevailing beauty standards shape our ideas about attractiveness, and those standards are shaped by our rabidly racist culture. A person socialized to only recognize the beauty of men or women of European descent may not even consider — they may not even be able to perceive — the attractiveness of people who aren’t white. And then when someone of a different race does manage to make a blip on their sex radar, it comes as a surprise. But instead of reconsidering their ideas about attractiveness, a dumb fucking white person — even one from a liberal background — is likelier to say something stupid like “I don’t usually find Asian guys hot, but your Korean friend is attractive,” rather than rethinking their assumptions about their desires. Declaring one Asian guy an exception allows someone like your girlfriend to have her racist cake (“I don’t find Asian guys hot”) and eat it too (“But this Asian guy is hot”). It’s a shame your girlfriend reacted defensively when you tried to bring all this up, STINGS, but sometimes people react defensively in the moment and then keep thinking about it. My advice: Keep bringing it up — but it would help if you owned your own shit during these conversations (and you have some shit of your own) rather than just self-righteously going after your girlfriend for her shit. I have to say, though, I disagree with you on one thing: People do have types, and there’s nothing wrong with having types. It’s a good idea to ask ourselves whether our “types” are actually ours and not just assigned to us by conventional standards of beauty (white, slim, young) or a thoughtless/fetishizing reaction to those standards (a desire to transgress with nonwhite, larger, or older folks).
LILLY SPA 704-392-8099 MON-SUN 9AM-11PM EXIT 37 OFF I-85
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SOUTH ON BEATTIES FORD THEN FIRST RIGHT ON MONTANA DRIVE (LOCATED 1/2 MILE ON THE LEFT 714-G MONTANA DRIVE
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