LOCAL ZERODee Dee HarrisHarris, a wealthy socialite, ran into trouble in her quest to bring Saks Fifth Avenue to Charlotte. Harris figured that taxpayers, most of whom cannot afford to shop at Saks, should bail her project out, since she stands to lose the $15 million she's already invested. So she asked the Charlotte City Council to fork over enough dough to help her bring the retailer to the corner of Park and Gleneagles roads. "Every person wants to leave the world better than they found it," she wrote to the council. "If that were not so, I would be playing tiddly-winks at the beach now. Instead I have chosen to dedicate the last 12 years of my life to taking almost insurmountable risks and jumping hurdles too tall for me, but they are not too tall for you." It's worth noting that the shopping development would be a convenient drive for Mrs. Harris, who lives in a $6 million mansion nearby.
BEST ACTIVISTSJohn and Cindy WoodliefThese two crusaders for common sense have taken on local government idiocy and inconsistency by fighting the development of four new million-dollar homes in a floodplain area that has recently been under water. The development was approved near their Eastover home by city and county staff. The Woodliefs have since spent their own money to successfully prove it violates local ordinances over the whiney objections of local officials who approved it despite an endless string of errors on the part of local government and the developer. It's worth noting that the county has spent roughly $15 million to purchase and tear down houses in floodplain areas similar to the one the four homes will be built in.
BEST NEW SLOGAN FOR CHARLOTTE"Just South Of Concord Mills And The Speedway"We also liked a couple of the readers' suggestions: "Buy Me" and "Who Needs Speed Cameras In Bumper-to-Bumper Traffic?"
BEST MEMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTNoneThis is a sad era for quality government in our fair burg, but we continue to hold out hope that someday, someone who is worth the trouble will run for office and that Charlotte-Mecklenburg voters will recognize this and actually vote for them.
WORST MEMBER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTThe Entire Charlotte-Mecklenburg School BoardThe competition was stiff in this category, but in the end it was clear that the board had outdone itself. These people are so obsessed with where schools should be built and what kind of bricks to use that they've utterly lost track of what's going on inside them. The board and a committee spent months hashing out whether to spend $30 million, a fraction of its total budget, on building schools to relieve overcrowding, then ultimately refused to make a decision while test scores continued to stagnate. Many on the board were then shocked to learn that, all the while, they were systematically discriminating against low-income children by providing them with the least experienced teachers in the system. On top of that, their nyah-nyah arguments and pettiness in public meetings are an embarassment to the community. It's time for all of them to quit arguing and get a clue.
BIGGEST WASTE OF TAX MONEYMayor Pat McCroryHe probably costs the city less than $50,000 in real dollars when his salary, travel expenses and incidentals are all figured in. What the city is getting for that, though, isn't entirely clear. McCrory is an ace schmoozer who has collected a long list of national organization and committee titles and useful political connections while sucking up to national political and bureaucratic types. We have no doubt this will further his political career. But what has he done for Charlotte lately in terms of major initiatives, programs or even ideas? The last one that comes to mind was the mass transit tax in 1998. That was six years ago. Since then, exactly what use he has served, other than playing the role of a smile in a suit, is up for debate.
THE OVERLY TRUSTFUL PHILANTHROPIST AWARDAndreas BechtlerArt collector Andreas Bechtler wants to donate a more-than-1,000-piece collection of modern European art worth somewhere in the vicinity of $20 million to the city. In return, he, and the Arts and Science Council, want the city to pony up millions to help build a museum uptown to house the works. So far so good; this is the kind of thing that has been done all over the world for ages. Charlotte City Council, of course, has engaged in endless rounds of politics over the issue, posing as money-savers of all things. Now, there's a task force, backstabbing, recriminations, you name it. Surely Bechtler should have realized our clueless local politicos would make a mess of his proposal. It may still happen, but don't hold your breath. Thanks anyhow, Andreas.THE DUMB CROOK AWARDCharlotte Mecklenburg Police RecruitsHow stupid was this? A slew of police recruits were caught with the answers to their recruitment exam, giving the department a black eye. Subsequent investigations resulted in inadequate slaps on the wrist, furthering the damage.
THE TARNISHED IMAGE AWARDDuke EnergyThe utility sure is popular with federal regulators, from the EPA to the FBI, these days. It can't seem to go six months without being sued, investigated or charged with something. Recent accusations have included everything from neglecting pollution controls to underreporting profits. Duke is still facing pending investigations into its role in California's blackouts in 2000 and 2001. In addition, their refusal to seriously consider burying power lines in a city that has suffered massive blackouts, despite popular support for the idea (not to mention the all-too-frequent losses of power during routine thunderstorms in parts of Charlotte), has put a huge dent in their previous image as a customer-oriented utility.
MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES IN CHARLOTTE(tie) Carolina Heel Splitter Mussels and Kids On BikesLet us know if you spot either.
THE INSUFFERABLE SANCTIMONY AWARDBill James' Crusade Against Gay ParentsUnder the guise of asking for a "clarification" of rules, County Commissioner Bill James has begun a campaign to discredit and eventually ban gays and lesbians from adopting children in Mecklenburg County. Ever the spokesperson for a quasi-medieval view of life, James apparently couldn't care less that study after study has shown that the children of gays and lesbians turn out to be as happy and well-adjusted as the kids of straight parents. In addition, considering that the need for adoptive parents is huge, James' crusade isn't just ideologically driven small-mindedness, it's deliberately hurtful and a disgrace to the term "family values."
BEST ACTIVIST GROSS-OUT Operation Save America's Fetus-Mobiles What better way is there to convince people of your position on an issue than shocking them with bloody pictures? None, apparently, to the folks at Operation Save America. They and their supporters rode around uptown back in the Spring with huge photos of aborted fetuses on the sides of their vans, supposedly in an attempt to convince viewers to oppose legal abortion. If they weren't so nuts and the images so grotesque, it'd almost be funny.
NEXT BEST THING TO GAY MARRIAGE Little Shiva and Jenn Jacobsen For once, Charlotte was way ahead of the times -- and in the area of gender issues, no less! Late last August, Little Shiva, the esteemed editrix of local "zine QZ and self-described Minister of Fun, got married downtown at the courthouse. Sounds kind of old-fashioned, huh? And it was, except that her betrothed was Jenn Jacobsen, a male-to-female pre-op transsexual with gender dysphoria who, technically at least for now, is a man. The pair, wearing matching red dresses and trailing a small entourage, attracted gawkers galore uptown as they made their way to the courthouse. Once there, a friend played the accordion, the lovebirds showed their papers and they were wed in short order. The judge was in such good spirits, she even asked for e-mail copies of the photos. The bride kissed the bride and all was well. Somewhere, Bill James broke out in a cold sweat.
BEST CELEBRITY HAIRDOSterlin Benson-Webber, WCNCIt's certainly the most consistent; when other glam girls are getting highlights or flippy cuts, Benson-Webber's coif has remained smooth and sleek, curling toward her face to draw your attention to her winning smile.
BEST LOCAL PRO ATHLETEJake Delhomme, Carolina PanthersJust thinking back to the confident way quarterback Delhomme led the Panthers into the Super Bowl last season, it's hard to believe he was signed as an unrestricted free agent from the New Orleans Saints in March 2003. The sportsmanship, maturity and poise demonstrated by this 29-year-old make him a role model, for sure.
BEST LOCAL COLLEGE ATHLETEBrendan Plavich, UNCC 49ersA transfer from Vanderbilt, Plavich has transitioned nicely to Charlotte, where he was named team captain following the 2002-03 season. Last year he made headlines by scoring 31 points to help Charlotte defeat the Syracuse Orangemen, the defending national champs. He also hit a game-winning three-pointer from just about the Virginia state line with less than a second left in double OT to lift the 49ers over Old Dominion. Now that he's a senior, he's got 49er fans psyched to see what's going to happen next on the court.
CHARLOTTE'S SEXIEST MANUri SandsThe NC Dance Theatre ads bill its dancers as Charlotte's other athletes -- and we agree. They all have taut, hot bods, and Sands' is the hottest of all. Sure, he's mega-talented -- an Alvin Ailey alumnus who is now a principal dancer and choreographer with NCDT -- but did we mention his six-pack abs, soulful eyes, strong quads...? Yep, he can pick us up anytime.
CHARLOTTE'S SEXIEST WOMANIndia LucasA graduate of UNC-Greensboro (where she was a member of the dance team), Lucas is currently the on-air entertainment personality for Charlotte's WB; serves as anchor for Mecklenburg Matters (a news segment on the Government Channel); coaches two all-star cheerleading squads; works with a modeling agency in Charlotte doing runway, printwork and commercials; implemented the "Keeping Children Safe in an Unsafe World" program into many of the surrounding schools; and was recently crowned Miss Union County USA. All admirable accomplishments, but all we know is that after taking one gander at that illuminating smile and beatific face on TV, she earned our vote as the city's sexiest woman.
LOCAL BOY OR GIRL MADE GOODChristian AnthonyThe 11-year-old Charlotte actress landed a lead role in the new Broadway production of Disney's The Lion King, playing the lion cub Nala -- and taking her parents by surprise.
LOCAL BOY OR GIRL MADE BADReverend James BarnettAt one point, Barnett, the longtime activist and crime fighter whose Stop the Killing Crusade was at the time funded with city money, was actively encouraging police to do more to stop prostitution with sting operations on the West Side. That was before he was caught soliciting an undercover vice officer. Barnett still maintains he wasn't seriously trying to hook up with a prostitute, but was merely testing out the effectiveness of the police operation. O-ka-a-a-y. Yeah, we believe that. Don't you?
BEST THING TO SHOW TO OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTSUptownWho'd a thunk? Just 10 years ago, you could almost feel the breeze from the tumbleweeds drifting through uptown after 5pm. Now, there's restaurants and museums, fountains, grocery stores, nightclubs -- and, yes, people living there! Just like a real city!! (Other vote-getters: Queens Road when trees are in bloom; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden; Ericsson Stadium during a Panthers game; and our personal favorite: "The way out.")
BEST-DRESSED PUBLIC FIGUREMalcolm Graham, City CouncilNo matter how heated a council meeting might get, Graham always looks the coolest in his tailored suits and kick-ass ties. We could all take a few sartorial tips from this guy, who freely admits he has a "clothes fetish." It shows. And it looks good.
BEST HOTELThe Westin CharlotteIt's just interesting, admit it. OK, it might look like a tall shoebox from the highway, but once you step inside, your perspective changes. Light and airy, the Westin offers 700 rooms, a snazzy bar, and a terrific restaurant. Bonus: the "Heavenly Bed," standard in every room. (Distant runner-up: the sentimental favorite Dunhill Hotel.)
The Westin Charlotte, 601 College Street. 704-375-2600.
BEST MUSEUMMint Museum of Craft + DesignSibling rivalry? No way. MMC+D, the younger, hipper sister to the Mint Museum, shines on her own, with amazing glass sculptures, mind-blowing woodwork, fiber art, kids classes, and more. Kudos to the Young Affiliates for initiating the "Mint After 5" program, serving up live music, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres on the terrace overlooking uptown. (Runners-up: Mint Museum of Art; Levine Museum of the New South.)
Mint Museum of Craft & Design, 220 N. Tryon Street. 704-337-2000.
BEST PLACE TO LIVE DOWNTOWNThe RatcliffeHey, if it's good enough for billionaire Bob Johnson and millionaire Jeff Gordon, it's good enough for us. Yeah, you've gotta shell out some green to live in these fab uptown condos -- with soaring ceilings and walls of glass -- but it could be worth it to live in a place that abuts a cute park like the Green. Bonus: convenient access to Aquavina. (Distant runners-up: Fourth Ward; Tryon House Apartments.)
The Ratcliffe, 401 S. Tryon Street. 704-339-0195.
BEST FESTIVALNovelloNine separate festivals received votes -- the most diversity in just about any category -- but Novello emerged the winner. Over the years, this October lit-fest has spotlighted our public library, and has gotten people excited about reading, always a good thing. Past Novello notables include John Grisham, Alice Sebold, Paul Zindel and Suze Orman. This year, get tickets early for Isabel Allende, Michael Chabon and Christopher Paolini. (Other vote getters: Taste of Charlotte; Yiasou! Greek Festival; Art and Soul of SouthEnd.)BEST PLACE TO JOGFreedom ParkThis great urban park easily outpaced (get it?) the competition. Whether your track is on the trails or you prefer to pound the pavement, Freedom Park is a favorite by a mile. Or two. Plus it has so much to see -- towering trees, ducks in the pond, old guys fishing, young lovers sharing a smooch -- it puts a spring in your step.
Freedom Park, 1900 East Boulevard. 704-336-2884.
BEST PLACE TO GET BACK TO NATURE Latta PlantationBy a longshot. Everyone loves this "only minutes from here" place, where you can forget Blackberry and relax under the trees, with Mountain Island Lake as your background. The park offers hiking and horseback riding trails (and guided rides), canoe rentals, and fishing permits. Take the kids, take a picnic.
Latta Plantation, 5226 Sample Road. 704-875-2312.
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE-WATCHCorner of Trade and TryonYou'll see it all here -- foreign language-speaking cab drivers, buttoned-up business types, bicycle couriers, and unfortunate souls who can't figure out the damn one-way streets uptown. Vary your people-watching by the clock: There's a whole different set of folks at 8:30am than at 10:30pm (and the people around 5:30pm seem to be smiling...). (Other vote getters: Lowe's Motor Speedway; Coyote Joe's on 1-2-3 Night; the fountain at Stonecrest on weekend summer nights.)
BEST DAY TRIPAshevilleA city with some actual historic buildings remaining, cafes, bookstores, a chocolate fetish shop (!!!) and cool summer breezes -- really, they don't call this "God's Country" for nothing. Did we mention the theater, the galleries and the view from the porch of the Grove Park Inn? Very nice.
BEST GOLF COURSEQuail Hollow Country ClubTom Fazio redesigned this private course just four years ago, creating tree-lined Bermuda grass fairways, bent grass greens and challenging water hazards within a beautiful setting. It ain't cheap -- it'll set you back a Franklin to play 18 holes on the weekend, and you can't hit the links without a club member. But our golfing friends say it suits them to a tee. (Runners-up: Ballantyne; "any putt-putt course.")
Quail Hollow, 3700 Glen Eagles Road. 704-552-1726.
BEST PUBLIC TENNIS COURTSPark Road ParkThe 138-acre park itself is pretty nifty, with basketball and volleyball courts, an 11-acre lake, playgrounds and a walking trail. Our tennis friends, though, say this is the place to take a racquet -- thanks to more than a dozen nicely maintained courts. Oh yeah, and they're lighted. Go have a ball. (Runner-up: Freedom Park.)
Park Road Park, 5300 Closeburn Road. 704-554-0402.
