O
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
East Charlotte - CMPD's New West Charlotte
Veteran CMPD Officers know two things about homicide in Charlotte, first no amount of police work will keep people from killing one-another and second West Charlotte used to be the killing field.
Once the home to yuppies and DINKs East Charlotte suddenly became home to low income single parents and families looking for affordable housing.
Parker's arrest record is mainly breaking and entering charges and a couple of drug arrests.
Samuels long record includes several weapons, drug and robbery charges including shopping lifting, employees theft and assault on a handicapped person.
CMPD Officers responded to a call at 3:59 p.m. and found Gay suffering from a gun shot wound and unresponsive. Paramedics took the wounded man to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
But that all changed as builders encouraged by the rapid growth of Charlotte in the 80's and early 90's urged Charlotte City Council to approve apartment complex on top of apartment complex along Albemarle Road, Harris Blvd and Central Avenue. At first these were "high end" apartments with amenities like club houses, pools, weight rooms and tennis courts. But as the growth slowed the rents declined and the demographics shifted.
As the great black migration to the north reversed course many minority families returned to the South, and many to Charlotte but with a northern attitude about what was right and wrong.
As the great black migration to the north reversed course many minority families returned to the South, and many to Charlotte but with a northern attitude about what was right and wrong.
Once the home to yuppies and DINKs East Charlotte suddenly became home to low income single parents and families looking for affordable housing.
Born into this mess in the late 80's and early 90's are the two suspects who were arrested Monday in a fatal shooting that occurred at Farm Pond Lane and Albemarle Road in East Charlotte. As was the victim Monte Jarron Gay, who was 21.
 |
| Monte Jarron Gay |
Gay of course has a lengthily arrest record dating back to a juvenile. Many of his arrests where gun charges the other drugs, driving offenses and robbery.
Two 19-year-olds Terrence Parker and Brenton Samuels who are harged with the murder of Gay are well known to CMPD's Independence and Hickory Grove divisions.
Officers arrested Parker at a motel on Independence Boulevard. Samuels was arrested in Mint Hill.
Officers arrested Parker at a motel on Independence Boulevard. Samuels was arrested in Mint Hill.
 |
| Terrence Parker |
 |
| Brenton Samuels |
Samuels long record includes several weapons, drug and robbery charges including shopping lifting, employees theft and assault on a handicapped person.
CMPD Officers responded to a call at 3:59 p.m. and found Gay suffering from a gun shot wound and unresponsive. Paramedics took the wounded man to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Hickory Grove Captain Chuck Henson, "Chuckles" as he is known around the department explained the shooting as "not a random act of violence".
But what is lost on Chuckles is the real cause of violent crime in East Charlotte. A broken system that has failed to institutionalize violent offenders. The first gun crime should be a life sentence. No exceptions no second chances no parole.
But what is lost on Chuckles is the real cause of violent crime in East Charlotte. A broken system that has failed to institutionalize violent offenders. The first gun crime should be a life sentence. No exceptions no second chances no parole.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Charlotte's Levine Museum of the New South Featured in the New York Times
New York Times reporter Edward Rothstein penned a well thought out story on Charlotte's Levine Museum of the New South. The piece ran in the February 12, 2010 Time but was completely over looked by the Charlotte Observer.
Meckburbia thought it noteworthy:
It is unlikely that anything resembling the impressive Levine Museum of the New South would exist anywhere else. A museum of the New North or the New East would be merely peculiar, but here the term “New South” has a venerable heritage, recalling unrealized hopes and great expectations. There is also much at stake in trying to understand just what the term really means.
It came into use in the aftermath of the Civil War, signifying the changes that had to take place in the Old South. A rural agricultural world dependent on slave labor had to remake itself under the tutelage and dominance of the industrial North. This imposition of liberal modernity and urban life incorporated a demand for social transformation, an urgent call for restructuring the economy and a conviction that the South’s deepest beliefs must be jettisoned. It called for a full-scale reinvention. But there was little follow-through, so in the decades that followed Reconstruction, the process was punctuated by reversions and rebellions. The New South was always contested terrain.
The rest of the story is here.
The Levine Museum of the New South is at 200 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, N.C.; (704) 333-1887, museumofthenewsouth.org.
Meckburbia thought it noteworthy:
It is unlikely that anything resembling the impressive Levine Museum of the New South would exist anywhere else. A museum of the New North or the New East would be merely peculiar, but here the term “New South” has a venerable heritage, recalling unrealized hopes and great expectations. There is also much at stake in trying to understand just what the term really means.
It came into use in the aftermath of the Civil War, signifying the changes that had to take place in the Old South. A rural agricultural world dependent on slave labor had to remake itself under the tutelage and dominance of the industrial North. This imposition of liberal modernity and urban life incorporated a demand for social transformation, an urgent call for restructuring the economy and a conviction that the South’s deepest beliefs must be jettisoned. It called for a full-scale reinvention. But there was little follow-through, so in the decades that followed Reconstruction, the process was punctuated by reversions and rebellions. The New South was always contested terrain.
The rest of the story is here.
The Levine Museum of the New South is at 200 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, N.C.; (704) 333-1887, museumofthenewsouth.org.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Big Ben Pub Burns
A Charlotte British termed restaurant has been destroyed in a fire this Sunday morning. The location at 810 Cottage Place has be operated under a number of names over the years. As far back as the late 1970's the home has been a restaurant.
My brother even manged the "Cottage" back in 1978. It's longest run was as Proposition XLV. While Fenwicks holds the title for longest continuous operation. Other names that have come and gone Saucy Crepe, Kakies
The building is a total loss, with damages estimated at about $1 million, Charlotte Fire Department Capt. Rob Brisley said.
The blaze started at about 6:30 a.m., and Providence was closed until almost noon.
No injuries were reported in the blaze, which took 60 firefighters to control.
The investigation into the fire's cause is still underway, but Brisley said the fire is believed to be accidental.
Big Ben, a British-themed pub and eatery, opened in 2006.
The building is a total loss, with damages estimated at about $1 million, Charlotte Fire Department Capt. Rob Brisley said.
The blaze started at about 6:30 a.m., and Providence was closed until almost noon.
No injuries were reported in the blaze, which took 60 firefighters to control.
The investigation into the fire's cause is still underway, but Brisley said the fire is believed to be accidental.
Big Ben, a British-themed pub and eatery, opened in 2006.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Senor Tequila Cantina Grill is a hidden gem in South Charlotte
There’s a little strip mall in southeast Charlotte, NC that is home to one of Charlotte’s hidden gems: Señor Tequila Cantina Grill, a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar that has a decent selection of tequilas and a menu packed with food choices from south of the border.
Tequila Examiner By Ryan Kelley
First thing to note is that Señor Tequila is cozy. That’s real estate lingo for “small.” There’s about a dozen tables inside and a few outside, with four stools at the small bar in the back of the restaurant. You do not step into a whole new world from the suburban strip mall that’s outside, but the warm, brightly decorated interior attempts to convince you that you are elsewhere, with bright yellow and deep blue walls, geckos painted with southwestern flair, and a Mexican mask or bronze sculpted sun here and there. The coolest decorations are the barrels that hang from the ceiling which are labeled with brand names of different tequilas. Strangely enough, I thought the bathroom was also really cool (see slideshow for a picture).
The menu is huge. There are tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, burritos, steaks, seafood, beer, margaritas, and, of course, tequila. There are about 20 or so listed on the menu, but they are not always available - they were out of the first few I ordered. I ended up with Cabo Wabo resposado, which was brought out in a kitschy green cactus shot glass and garnished with a lime. I sipped the Cabo while enjoying my complimentary chips and salsa and watched a Carolina Panthers game projected onto the wall. According to user reviews on restaurant review web sites, there have been complaints about the wait on weekend nights. On this particular Sunday afternoon, however, it was a great place to relax. There were only a few other people, and service was friendly and attentive.
I always have a difficult time selecting from a large menu, especially one with standard Mexican fare. Prices at Señor Tequila are reasonable bordering on inexpensive, with entrees ranging from about $10 to $15. Even though it was only lunch, I selected one of the larger plates, the carne asada steak that comes with rice and beans. I also ordered a margarita, made with Hornitos.
The food was fantastic! It arrived piping hot, with a wonderful, spicy beef aroma. The carne asada was perfect - moist, juicy and tender. I didn’t even bother with tortillas, preferring to fill up on the meat and the unremarkable (yet still good) rice and refried beans in a fried tortilla shell. Unfortunately, the margarita was not great. It is your typical, run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant margarita that is made with a bottled mix. It was too sweet, and the taste of the tequila was all but lost.
With my stomach full, my tequila palate still needed to be quenched, so I opted for a shot of Cuervo Reserva de Familia Añejo. I was planning to finish with Cabo añejo, but I have never had the Cuervo Reserva and my server was rather emphatic that I try it. He even brought out the bottle to show it to me. (I humored him with some ohhs and ahhs). Señor Tequila seemed like it would be the perfect place to try some top-notch Cuervo, which also arrived in that kitschy cactus shot glass. I was not blown out of the water by the Cuervo, but it is certainly one of Casa Cuervo’s better offerings and was a great way to end a satisfying meal.
OVERALL GRADE B
Tequila Selection C+
Food and Cocktails B+
Service A-
Ambiance B
Señor Tequila Cantina Grill
Piper Glen
6414 Rea Road
Charlotte, NC 28277-2528
(704) 543-0706
Tequila Examiner By Ryan Kelley
First thing to note is that Señor Tequila is cozy. That’s real estate lingo for “small.” There’s about a dozen tables inside and a few outside, with four stools at the small bar in the back of the restaurant. You do not step into a whole new world from the suburban strip mall that’s outside, but the warm, brightly decorated interior attempts to convince you that you are elsewhere, with bright yellow and deep blue walls, geckos painted with southwestern flair, and a Mexican mask or bronze sculpted sun here and there. The coolest decorations are the barrels that hang from the ceiling which are labeled with brand names of different tequilas. Strangely enough, I thought the bathroom was also really cool (see slideshow for a picture).
The menu is huge. There are tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, burritos, steaks, seafood, beer, margaritas, and, of course, tequila. There are about 20 or so listed on the menu, but they are not always available - they were out of the first few I ordered. I ended up with Cabo Wabo resposado, which was brought out in a kitschy green cactus shot glass and garnished with a lime. I sipped the Cabo while enjoying my complimentary chips and salsa and watched a Carolina Panthers game projected onto the wall. According to user reviews on restaurant review web sites, there have been complaints about the wait on weekend nights. On this particular Sunday afternoon, however, it was a great place to relax. There were only a few other people, and service was friendly and attentive.
I always have a difficult time selecting from a large menu, especially one with standard Mexican fare. Prices at Señor Tequila are reasonable bordering on inexpensive, with entrees ranging from about $10 to $15. Even though it was only lunch, I selected one of the larger plates, the carne asada steak that comes with rice and beans. I also ordered a margarita, made with Hornitos.
The food was fantastic! It arrived piping hot, with a wonderful, spicy beef aroma. The carne asada was perfect - moist, juicy and tender. I didn’t even bother with tortillas, preferring to fill up on the meat and the unremarkable (yet still good) rice and refried beans in a fried tortilla shell. Unfortunately, the margarita was not great. It is your typical, run-of-the-mill Mexican restaurant margarita that is made with a bottled mix. It was too sweet, and the taste of the tequila was all but lost.
With my stomach full, my tequila palate still needed to be quenched, so I opted for a shot of Cuervo Reserva de Familia Añejo. I was planning to finish with Cabo añejo, but I have never had the Cuervo Reserva and my server was rather emphatic that I try it. He even brought out the bottle to show it to me. (I humored him with some ohhs and ahhs). Señor Tequila seemed like it would be the perfect place to try some top-notch Cuervo, which also arrived in that kitschy cactus shot glass. I was not blown out of the water by the Cuervo, but it is certainly one of Casa Cuervo’s better offerings and was a great way to end a satisfying meal.
OVERALL GRADE B
Tequila Selection C+
Food and Cocktails B+
Service A-
Ambiance B
Señor Tequila Cantina Grill
Piper Glen
6414 Rea Road
Charlotte, NC 28277-2528
(704) 543-0706
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)