Charlotte Blogs

Friday, February 15, we’ll have another in our series of news roundups with newspaper reporters from around the Charlotte region when we hear from Gastonia and the Gaston County area.  We’ll get an update of that region and take a look at some of the important issues there, like growth and development, the drought, and transportation.
Live in Gaston County?  What’s happening in your neighborhood?  What do you think are the important issues facing the people of Gastonia and Gaston County?  We want to know what you think.

On Valentine’s Day, we present a sweet verion of Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins when we talk all things chocolate with guests Peter Reinhart, Chef in Residence at Johnson and Wales University and culinary historian Maricela Priscella.  We’ll learn about the history of this favorite of treats, its modern production, and the endless ways to incorporate it in foods and beverages.
What’s your favorite type of chocolate?  Got a special recipe using chocolate that you’ll share?  What’s the most unique way you’ve used chocolate in a dish?  Let us know here in the comments.

Wednesday, February 13, is a session of Open Phones on Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins – but we have an assignment for our commenters.  We want to know what you think of the very political year so far.  Has Election Year 2008 been exhilarating for you?  Have you been following the candidates and their messages as they’ve been weeded out primary by primary? Or, are you sick of the talk already?  We want your thoughts about how the candidates are doing, and even your predictions, if you’re brave enough to call the race this far ahead of November.  And, as always, you’re invited to call, email, or blog about any other topic of your choosing.

There’s a new Sheriff in town—for the second time in a matter of weeks. We’re joined by newly appointed Charlotte-Mecklenburg Sheriff, Chipp Bailey on this edition of Charlotte Talks. The recent controversy over the Sheriff election surrounding Nick Mackey, the announcement that the election was void, and the ultimate appointment of the Sheriff position has been dominating local news of late. Now that the situation has been resolved, Chipp Bailey wants to move forward, begin the healing in our community and start the real work of being a Sheriff. We’ll talk about his 14 years as Chief Deputy Sheriff and what his years under Jim Pendergraph have done to prepare him for his new position. Do you have questions for Sheriff Bailey? Have comments about the whole Sheriff election/ appointment controversy? We want to hear from you!

Growing pains are to be expected with the rapid development of our region, but some of that pain is fueling tensions between the Northerners moving here and folks who have lived here most or all their lives.  Monday, February 11, we’ll explore whether that tension is exaggerated or real and what’s behind the perceived decline in Southern hospitality.
What are your experiences?  Have y’all welcomed your new neighbors?  Were you guys greeted warmly when you moved here?  How do you think we all get along?

It’s America’s largest private home, and can boast America’s most visited winery, and is among the favorite places in the South chosen by people who live in the South.  The Biltmore Estate is, without question, one of North Carolina’s biggest, most famous and most visited places.  Friday, February 8, we talk with George Vanderbilt’s great-grandson, Bill Cecil, Jr., President and CEO of the Biltmore, about the history of the house and how it became a public tourist destination.  We’ll also discuss the business of Biltmore and the importance of the estate to North Carolina and the Vanderbilt family. 
What are your memories of the Biltmore Estate?  What is your favorite season to visit? 

Thursday, February 7, we meet former Davidson College roommates.  They met in 1985, the first year as a person of faith for one, the last year for the other – this produced many discussions and arguments their sophomore year.  After college, they lost touch, and when they found each other years later they never talked about those discussions until filming their documentary, “A Purple State of Mind.”  Join this discussion of faith, politics and lessons learned.
More information about the film at www.purplestateofmind.com.

Wednesday, February 6, local musician Jack Murray joins us.  Murray’s saxophone sound is well-known to Queen City audiences, as he’s the lead alto for the Charlotte Jazz Orchestra and plays for many of the local and traveling Broadway theater productions that come through Charlotte.  We’ll talk about how he found his sound and hear some music from his latest studio recording.  For more information about Jack Murray, go to www.jackmurraymusic.com.

Tuesday, February 5, Middle East expert Michael Oren will join us in advance of his appearance in Charlotte for the Jewish Federation.  We’ll talk about the history of America and the Middle East, and how the current relationship compares with the one from 50 years ago, or even from the beginning of America’s history.  Oren’s book is called “Power, Faith and Fantasy:  America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present.”  Have you read the book?  What did you think of it?  Do you plan to read it?
Oren will be in Charlotte on February 10.  More information about his visit can be found at www.jewishcharlotte.org.