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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.
