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Thursday, July 31, 2008
Arts Charlotte-area writer still in control of her words
Posted By Cheris Hodges on Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Novelist AlTonya Washington didn't let a rejection from her publisher kill her wildly popular series.
In January, Washington, an award-winning and multi-published author, self-published her first book, A Lover's Regret. The response, she says, was great, and this month she released her fifth book in the Ramsey series, A Lover's Worth. She recently talked to Creative Loafing about her publishing experiences:
CL: You've self published another book; what's it about?
AlTonya Washington: A Lover's Worth focuses on Moses Ramsey whose real fear of being like his father Marcus Ramsey pushes him to betray Johari Frazier in the name of protecting her. Now years later, Moses strives to prove his worth and win back the woman he loves. Problem? Johari hates him and carries a secret that could devastate Moses more than he knows.
How did readers respond to you taking publishing into your own hands, and have you seen a good return on your investment?
The readers have really responded favorably and they were very supportive of my going forth with the series and not letting it fizzle because the publishers chose not to continue. I couldn't imagine letting down my readers who had already become so involved with the Ramseys and yes, the return on my investment has been just as favorable.
Are you still working with a traditional publisher -- and if you are, what books do you have coming from them?
Yes, I have two titles coming out in August 2008. Rival's Desire (Harlequin/Kimani) and Passion's Furies (Genesis Press).
See & Do: The Weekender The Weekender
Posted By Natalie Howard on Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Friday, August 1
Film
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2: How come that Harry Potter brat gets all of his movies made into books and the Sisterhood only gets two? In this sequeal, books 2-4 are crammed into one story; a little unfair, don’t you think? Either way, we’re just happy to have a movie about girls who aren’t mean, who don’t hate each other, who aren’t fighting over a guy and have greater interests than shoe shopping. Long live the Sisterhood! Stars Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Blake Lively. Local theaters. www.charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Film. Find more in Film.
Music
Hope Massive: Positive vibrations abound when this North Carolina reggae and dub outfit hits the stage. Formed in 2004, the multicultural five-piece lays down a foundation that’s solidly roots reggae. With Sci Fi. Double Door Inn. www.doubledoorinn.com. Find more in Music.
Arts
Here comes the man in Black: Comedian Lewis Black is pissed off. He’s mad at close-minded zealots, pandering politicians, money-grubbing tycoons and, in general, stupid people. And God bless him for the bile that’s settled in his heart. We need a rabble-rousing satirist such as Black to remind us that the powers that be are, for the most part, idiots — and keep us laughing all the way to the voting booths. $45.50-$65.50. 8 p.m. Belk Theater. www.blumenthalcenter.org. Find more in Arts.
Food
South 21 Drive In: Charlotte landmark since 1955, serves great burgers, friends, onion rings, etc., and still wins awards every year from our readers. Drive in or take out. 3101 E. Independence Blvd. 704-377-4509. Find more in Food.
Random Dumb Sh*t Stargate?
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Can somebody please tell me why Stargate is still on the air?
Seriously.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Film The Princess and the Stereotype
Posted By Natalie Howard on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 4:08 PM
You had me, Disney, you really did ... right up until the buck-tooth firefly. That’s going to give me nightmares.
The Princess and The Frog doesn’t come out until 2009, so let’s cross our fingers and hope Disney uses the time edit out any Jar Jar Binks incarnations.
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Random Dumb Sh*t It must have been two degrees from Hades in that building
Posted By Cheris Hodges on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 2:08 PM
This afternoon, when the sun was at its highest point in the sky and the heat index was over 1,000 [I know that's a bit of a stretch], I passed a building where people started pouring out. As they stepped outside, you could see a look of relief on their faces. Really?
How hot was it inside that place if they found relief outside in this heat and humidity?
News News roundup 7/30/08
Posted By Jaya Muldrew on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Man charged in death of pregnant solider:
Fayetteville detectives arrested Edgar Patino at his home in Hopewell, N.C., Tuesday. Patino, a fellow soldier, was charged with murdering pregnant Fort Bragg solider Megan Lynn Touma. Touma and Patino had been stationed together in Germany and dated in the past. She was found dead on June 21 in a hotel near Fort Bragg, N.C. CNN
Flight attendant finds woman's corpse in plane bathroom:
A spokeswoman for Delta airlines says flight attendants found the body of an unidentified woman in the bathroom of a plane that landed in Atlanta. The body was found shortly before 6 a.m. on Delta flight 950 that arrived from Los Angeles. There was no information on the passenger or where she was from. AJC
Alaska senator's indictment may hurt GOP:
Ted Stevens, the U.S. Senate's longest-serving Republican senator was indicted Tuesday on seven counts of failing to disclose more than $250,000 in gifts. The indictments jeopardize his re-election and damage his parties chances at recapturing the Senate. AP via Yahoo News
Moderate earthquake hits California:
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake rocked a rural part of northern California on Tuesday evening. The quake hit shortly after 8 p.m. about 11 miles east of the town of Willow Creek, which is about 190 miles west of Sacramento. There were no immediate reports of damages or causalities. CNN
Film Wolverine first look
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 10:37 AM
News Credit card lessons
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 8:19 AM
There is one piece of advice that I readily give anyone who'll listen and is in the place to use it: Avoid credit card debt if at all possible. It's too easy to get in over your head.
According to a story on CNN, a new study by financial research firm Javelin Strategy & Research says that middle-income and middle-aged consumers are cutting back on credit card use. Forty percent of consumers surveyed said they're pulling out their credit cards less than they were at the beginning of the year.
Americans carry approximately $961.8 billion in revolving debt, according to the Federal Reserve Board. Delinquency rates on credit cards are at the highest levels since the end of 2002.Even as consumers cut back on using credit cards, they're finding it harder to pay down their balances, says Javelin President James Van Dyke.
Don't I know it.
In summary:
It (does not) pay to Discover.
American Express: Don't leave home without it
There are some things money can't buy. For everything else there's Mastercard
Visa: It's everywhere you want to be (if you want to carry the burden of a debt that might take you years to pay off)
Film Movie trailers for this week's film reviews
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 7:45 AM
Read the full reviews in the film section.
The X-Files: I Want to Believe
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Brideshead Revisited
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Music New Kids On The Block Tour?
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Today I got word that the New Kids On The Block, (a band that was all the rage when I was in elementary school and they were in their teens) will be reuniting for a tour. It's odd to think of the now aged boy band back on stage, but they'll be performing in Charlotte at Time Warner Cable Arena (formerly the Charlotte Bobcat Arena) on Oct. 30. For more information on the show, visit www.livenation.com. For more information on New Kids On The Block, visit www.nkotb.com.
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Question the Queen City: Who set fire to the nightlife? 3
From 1971 to 1976, 17 nightclubs in Charlotte burned to the ground. Who did it?
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Rango / Gnomeo & Juliet: Tale of two toons
Toon Western triggers a good time for all, but silly Shakespeare spin is solely for the kids.
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Question the Queen City: Hugh McManaway, the man behind the statue
It pays homage to a traffic director, friendly neighbor and one of Charlotte's most beloved local characters
